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'Pacifist' George Fernandes talks tough on N-bomb and Agni

India will not fight shy of inducting nuclear weapons or conducting repeated tests of the Agni ballistic missile, if necessary, to ensure its security, territorial integrity and unity, Defence Minister George Fernandes said on Friday.

''If there is a need to take hard decisions, we will take them,'' Fernandes told a news conference soon after assuming charge of the defence portfolio at South Block in New Delhi. He was answering queries on the BJP-led coalition government's stance on the nuclear issue and Agni missile.

Asked to react to the West's criticism of the coalition government's stand on nuclear option, as stated in the national agenda of the BJP and its alliance partners, Fernandes said, ''There is no need for a reply, as what they are saying is their view of our policy.''

Answering a question about testing of nuclear weapons, the new defence minister said, ''There is no need to go in for testing of nuclear weapons at this point of time.''

Fernandes, who agreed that he was a 'pacifist', though not entirely as conveyed by the term, said national security had always been his primary concern and in his view, 'pacifism' did not mean not caring for national security.

With regard to the nuclear issue, he said the relevant portion of the national agenda had to be read in its proper context and quoted it to say: '....to ensure the security, territorial integrity and unity of India we will take all necessary steps and exercise available options. Towards that end we will re-evaluate the nuclear policy and exercise the option to induct nuclear weapons'.

Fernandes declined to comment on how the new government's nuclear policy was different from the previous government's, saying, ''I don't know the policy of the previous government.''

Asked to comment on reports that some army officers wanted the liberation of Pak Occupied Kashmir, the defence minister said: ''Army officers should discuss strategy within the army.''

On India's long-term and short-term threat perception, Fernandes said, ''We have problems on all sides, but they are capable of being resolved.''

He also said a fresh look would be taken at the public sector undertakings in defence establishment to improve their performance. Capital would not be a problem for their technical upgradation. He said as of now, there was no proposal for disinvestment in defence PSUs.

The new minister also hinted at initiatives to sort out boundary disputes.

On a question regarding the impact of India's concern for human rights on its ties with countries like China and Myanmar, the minister categorically said: ''India's relations with any country will not be in jeopardy because of its concern for human rights.'' He said human rights enjoyed a high place in India's concerns as a nation, and that India as a nation should never overlook the question of human rights.

Fernandes was not in favour of the deployment of the army for fighting insurgency, and said the army should be primarily concerned with the defence of the country's frontiers.

He advocated the setting up of a separate force for fighting insurgency and internal disturbances. He also said the paramilitary forces were neither equipped nor trained to deal with insurgency situations.

The minister, however, praised the army for doing a commendable job in Jammu and Kashmir under very difficult conditions, but pointed out that insurgency situations were necessarily guerilla-type actions and the army was not trained for the purpose.

A different set of forces was required for the purpose, he stressed.

To a question regarding the time-frame for the implementation of the defence agenda as outlined in the coalition government's national agenda, Fernandes said: ''We will go very fast.''

Asked whether the government's stated national security policy in the national agenda would unleash an arms race in the region, the minister said India's defence policy had always been defence-oriented.

Regarding any restructuring of the armed forces, Fernandes said it would have to wait until and after the first-ever strategic defence review to be conducted by a National Security Council which is to be set up by the new government. He declined to specify when the NSC would be set up.

He refused to answer any queries with regard to the defence outlay for the next financial year or whether it would be increased.

On the demands of the armed forces personnel with regard to the Fifth Pay Commission award, he said they were being looked into and some reports were being prepared.

The defence minister said in his opening remarks that India's security depended primarily on a strong sense of national purpose and effective and well-organised armed forces, besides cooperation from and understanding with neighbouring countries.

''However, I also believe that India's security cannot be isolated from regions like South East Asia, Central Asia, the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean. Our security cannot be ensured with a restricted focus but must be seen against the much larger geopolitical reality.''

Fernandes also noted that the Indian armed forces had served the country with great distinction and pride. ''In their organisation and spirit they embody the ethos of secularism and oneness. I will naturally take it as one of my highest priority to ensure that our forces continue to be imbued with a robust morale and a high sense of esteem.''

He also said that the national agenda of the present government had an unambiguous and clearly defined set of national priorities. Quoting from this document, he said, "Our first commitment to the people is to give a stable, honest, transparent and efficient government."

Fernandes expressed the hope that he would be able to translate this commitment into action during his term as defence minister. "We are passing through a phase in the political life of the country where questions have been asked about the consistency and continuity of our policies," he pointed out.

''I would like to underscore that in the basic elements of our national interest there is a strong and underlying consensus,'' he said.

UNI

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