New Delhi: Concern was voiced in Parliament
today over the growing military threat from China in the wake
of reports that it has moved longer range missiles close to
Indian borders.
While a BJP member spoke in the Lok Sabha about Pentagon
report on Chinese threat to India, a Congress member in the
Rajya Sabha talked about the growing disparity in defence
preparedness between the two countries.
Raman Deka (BJP) said during the Zero Hour that China has
moved new advanced longer range CSS-5 missiles close to the
borders with India.
Seeking a response from Defence Minister, he wanted better
preparedness by India as there was not much infrastructure on
the borders with China.
"We have not forgotten the 1962 war", he said adding there
were no proper roads for the Army to immediately move in case
of any eventuality.
He said it was necessary for the Government to take a
"stringent view" of the Chinese moves and assure people that
the country was safe.
In the Rajya Sabha, Ashwini Kumar (Congress) said India`s
defence preparedness against China was one:five. He said while
the budget for China`s defence is USD 150 billion, it was only
USD 32 billion for India. While China has eight nuclear
submarines, India has only one, he said.
"It is high time that rising India stops being apologetic
about its need to increase its defence expenses," he said.
Kumar, who was supported by BJP members, said while India
has to build good relationship with China, it did not mean
that "we remain oblivious to the urgency of our defence
preparedness...we must revisit our defence preparedness."
-PTI
