Date:27/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/27/stories/2008122758590100.htm

Front Page

Services chiefs meet Manmohan

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The chiefs of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday and briefed him on the country’s defence preparedness.

The services chiefs also discussed the pay and service conditions in the armed forces against the backdrop of dissatisfaction over the Pay Commission’s recommen- dations.

Aware of how the meeting was being instantly perceived in the electronic media in both India and Pakistan, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) put out a brief statement on the meeting.

“The three services chiefs met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi this afternoon. The meeting lasted for about an hour. Service matters, including the recommendations of the Pay Commission, were discussed and the Prime Minister was briefed on the prevailing security situation,” said the statement.

Sources in the Defence Ministry said the meeting saw the services chiefs informing the Prime Minister of the available options to meet conventional military threats and the acquisition pace of technology-dominant hardware.

The sources described the meeting as “routine” in view of the escalation of rhetoric in Pakistan following the Mumbai terror attacks.

Ajmal’s nationality not proved: Pakistan

Hostile propaganda, alleges Pakistan

Provide evidence: Sharif

We’ll defend Pakistan till the last drop of our blood: Zardari

Send strong message to Pakistan: BJP

Nobody wants war: Manmohan

“Ajmal not on Pakistan database”

Pakistan back to its old ways: Pranab

Pakistan jets take to the skies

Pakistan receives Ajmal’s letter

Pranab: denials won’t take you anywhere