The Hindu : Front Page : Centre considering unified command for armed forces

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Friday, Jun 01, 2007
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Centre considering unified command for armed forces

Special Correspondent

M.K. Narayanan, Karunanidhi discuss coastal security

GREETINGS: Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi with National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan at the Secretariat in Chennai on Thursday. — Photo: V. Ganesan

CHENNAI: The Centre will consider the suggestion to set up a unified command for the armed forces here, in view of the security situation in the State and to prevent attacks on Indian fishermen, National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan said on Thursday.

"We will ensure the protection of fishermen to the maximum extent possible and there was a suggestion that we should have a unified command," he told presspersons emerging from a 45-minute meeting with Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi.

"We will look into the matter. I will have to consult with the Navy as to what could be done... I will have to check with the Navy whether they will have a problem with a unified command. But I think it is a good idea," he said.

He met Mr. Karunanidhi to discuss the security situation along the Tamil Nadu coast and the attacks on Indian fishermen. "I heard from the Chief Minister a very detailed account of the problems. I have indicated that we will strengthen coastal security, particularly in areas like Tuticorin... where the threat is seen," he said.

Arms supply

Asked what the Government would do if Sri Lanka goes to Pakistan or China for its arms purchases in the event of India declining to sell some types of arms, he said: "We are the big power in this region. Let us make it very clear. We strongly believe that whatever requirements the Sri Lankan government has, they should come to us. And we will give them what we think is necessary. We do not favour their going to China or Pakistan or any other country."

"We will not provide the Sri Lankan government with offensive capability. That is the standard position... radar is seen as a defensive capability. If a country wants us to help them with defensive capabilities, we will provide them. That is our position. We have provided them radars," he said, adding that India's relations with Sri Lankan government were "good enough" for Sri Lanka to follow the line that India wanted.

Mr. Narayanan said fishermen could not be prevented from crossing over in search of a catch. "I do not think that is a basic issue. And we have told the Sri Lankan Navy that they should not fire at the Indian fishermen. Sri Lankan Navy has told us that they will not and they have not... I myself have talked to the authorities in Sri Lanka that there should be no firing on our fishermen. They have promised us that. Preventing our fishermen from going across might be asking too much from our fishermen," he said.

LTTE threat

The NSA confirmed that the recent attack on fishermen which left five dead was the handiwork of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. "I think it is fairly clear," he said. Asked if the LTTE posed a threat to India, he said the threat perception was behind strengthening coastal security.

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