Integrity Score 240
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National Security Doctrine for Global Reach continues....
In the period between 1980/81 and 1986/87, the growth rate was much higher – 12.1 per cent. Since then it has again fallen to low levels. Between 1986/87 and 1990/91 it grew by only 2.4 per cent. And since 1991, the real or constant price defence expenditure has had negative growth rates! Thus, the Indian defence expenditure, grew substantially only between 1980/81 and 1986/87.
Defence expenditure as a percentage of GDP dropped from a high of 3.5 per cent in 1971/72 to less than 3.0 per cent in 1980/81. Thereafter it began to increase, reaching a high of 4.1 per cent in 1987/88. Since then it has been falling steadily to about 3 per cent in 1990/91 and to 2.4% in 2004. It has averaged less than 3.5 per cent in the past 20 years. It is one of the lowest in the world. This drop in the share of the defence budget is being ascribed to the resource crunch in the economy.
At a time when Pakistan is systematically fuelling armed insurrection in two border states of crucial importance to national security, and a drift to war cannot be ruled out, we cannot therefore consider a cut in our defence budget.
The defence budget of Rs. 83,000 crores (2005-2006 BE) amounted to less than 2.5 per cent of India’s GDP, a low allocation for the security requirement of a vast country with extensive land and sea frontiers. Considering the extent of India’s resources and interests, her expanding assets in seas beyond her shores, a defence budget of the order of 7 per cent of GDP by the year 2008 would therefore appear necessary and justifiable. The question then is how much of it should go to the Navy, Army and Air Force. Navy should get at least 30% up from the present 16% of the Budget.
Throughout her early history, India was a strong ocean oriented country. Her trade moved, as did her cultural influences, in the West as far as Egypt and Rome, and in the east to Java, Indo-China and beyond.
to be continued.....