Monday, Jun 17, 2002
Monday, Jun 17, 2002 |
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By Our Special Correspondent
He told presspersons here today that India had called back some of its warships, re-opened its air space, named its High Commissioner and hoped that Pakistan would reciprocate. He said there was a perceptible change in Pakistan's attitude in the last few days. Mr. Fernandes reiterated India`s resolve not to allow any other country, including the U.S, to influence its decisions either on Kashmir or any other issue. He, however, added that India had no conflict with the U.S. and expressed satisfaction over the support being given by the U.S to India in its fight against terrorism. He said that the U.S had agreed to supply to India sensors and weapon-locating radars, which it had been denying for the last several years. The U.S has also agreed to supply engines for the LCA to help enhance technology demonstration and compatibility. The U.S. had stopped supplies in the wake of sanctions imposed following nuclear tests. Though India developed its own engines, they were undergoing high altitude tests in Russia. It would take at least two years for the tests to be completed and to start serial production. The U.S decision would help us acquire light combat aircraft immediately, he said. He said India had been facing the problem of terrorism for the last two decades. But the U.S. realised how deep-rooted the menace had become only after the attack on the World Trade Center. Asked whether the U.S. was not adopting double standards by carrying out attacks against Afghanistan with all its might and advising India to exercise restraint towards Pakistan, Mr. Fernandes answered in the negative and said the U.S. was giving all support to India in the fight against terrorism. About the increase proposed in the Pakistan defence budget, Mr. Fernandes said that India's defence budget was more than five times that of Pakistan. He did not agree that deployment of the Army in forward areas for too long would affect their morale. ``Our Army is unique'', he said and added that the jawans were trained to work in temperatures as low as minus 10 and as high as 40 to 50 degree Celsius for months together.
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