India rules out cut in defence spending

NEW DELHI—India, the largest arms purchaser among emerging nations, said it will not prune its military spending, due to the growing threat from terrorism and regional tensions.
India annually spends 14 billion dollars, or 2.34 percent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP), on its military. Since 2004 it has either used or committed billions of dollars in modernisation projects planned until 2010.
“It is a harsh reality that defence expenditure involves huge outlays on acquisitions,” Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee told visiting defence officials from 40 countries including Britain, China, Germany and the United States.
“There is no denying the fact that the challenge of modern warfare with the likely nuclear, biological and chemical dimensions cannot be met with outdated technologies,” he said on Monday.
“These assume greater significance because of unfathomable dangers arising from proliferation of nuclear technologies over the years and the capability acquired by international terrorist organisations.” “And therefore there is no escape from modernisation of the defence forces,” said Mukherjee, who until last month held the defence portfolio.
His thinly-veiled warning to Pakistan came on the eve of the resumption of peace talks with India’s nuclear-capable rival.—Agencies