Advocating independence in the areas of energy and national security, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Sunday favoured a multipronged strategy to deal with security threats. He asserted that there would be “zero tolerance to error” in defence-related issues.
“One thing I will promise. I have been given a task. I will see that India is strengthened, and the country is in such a position that people will not dare for a confrontation,” Mr. Parrikar said at the inauguration of the Information Management and Analysis Centre (IMAC) of the Navy in Gurgaon.
Bulwark against 26/11sThe IMAC would be the nerve centre for the country’s maritime domain awareness. His task was to ensure that the defence sector got its due and became a cohesive strong force making India self-sufficient.
Appreciating the “quick and fast delivery” of the system, Mr. Parrikar said it would ensure “99.99 per cent” protection against incidents like the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks by earlier detection.
He asked the Navy to fill the gaps in coastal surveillance. He mentioned the stretch between Karwar to Mangalore lacking radar coverage and Bhatkal in Karnataka of late emerging as a hub for smuggling and terror activities.
Mr. Parrikar observed that those nations which had good Navies ruled the world. While referring to a Chinese submarines calling at a Sri Lanka post, he said: “Today probably that is the reason why our neighbours are trying to get their Navy everywhere in the Indian Ocean and other areas.”
As an engineering and science graduate, he said he understood the economic potential of the Exclusive Economic Zone for mining resources.
IndigenisationBatting for indigenisation in the defence sector, he said, “You can’t depend on some foreign countries for all your procurements.”
Noting that defence procurements were done for a period of 20-30 years, Mr. Parrikar said, “You can’t suddenly find yourself trapped in a condition that the party which has supplied you the material faces some blockade or some sanctions for supply to conflict zone.”
