Submarine for Indian Navy
The Defence Minister, Mr. Y.B. Chavan, told the Lok Sabha on April 5 that if the present negotiations with Britain for acquiring a modern submarine did not succeed, “we will have to think of some other alternative.”
Mr. Chavan, who was replying to Mr. H.V. Kamath and Mr. Hem Barua (P.S.P.) said that his latest information was that the question of credit by Britain for the purchase of a submarine from it was “actively under consideration”. “I am expecting a decision in the near future,” he added. Mr. Chavan said the cost of the submarine was still under negotiation. Government was negotiating for the latest type of submarine.
Mr. P. Venkatasubbiah asked whether in view of China’s attempt to attain supremacy in the sea, the question of strengthening the Indian Navy was not urgent. The Minister said that only because of this the Government was now considering the requirements of the navy.
Menon meets Nasser
Mr. V.K. Krishna Menon, former Indian Defence Minister, on April 5 conferred with President Nasser in Cairo. The subjects of their talks were not disclosed.
Earlier, Mr. Menon conferred with top U.A.R. officials including the U.A.R. Premier, Mr. Aly Sabri.
Western and Asian politicians, including Mr. V.K. Krishna Menon of India, told delegates at an international seminar on the Palestine question on April 4 that one day Israel would not exist.
The gathering in the main auditorium of Cairo University heard the former British Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Anthony Nutting, appeal to Arabs not to resort to force in dealing with the Israel question.
“You need not wage war. Israel is potentially collapsing. It is only through peaceful means that you may solve this problem,” he said.
Mr. Krishna Menon retorted, “Arabs, unite and raise arms.” Other speakers reiterated Mr. Menon’s words.
India’s foreign debt
India’s foreign debt is likely to be nearly six billion dollars by next year, according to a study by the U.S. Agency for International Development (AID).
In a 173-page study of the mounting aid-debt problem submitted to Congressional committees, A.I.D. said on April 3 that India would have to devote one-fourth of its total foreign exchange earning during its next Plan to pay off its debts.
