There is a possibility of escalation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, Dr. Subhash Bhamre, Minister of State for Defence, cautioned on Thursday.
“Today we face a difficult neighbourhood with myriad security challanges. On the Line of Actual Control , the situation is sensitive and incidents of patrolling, transgression and stand-offs are potential for escalation. While confidence building measures are enhanced, we shall take all actions as deemed necessary to endure the sanctity of the LAC,” Dr. Bhamre said at an annual seminar, jointly organised by the Army and the Centre for Land Warfare Studies.
Many things were going on along all the borders and one of them might trigger an escalation, he said.
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Since the 73-day standoff near the Doklam trijunction, China has beefed up its presence closer to the LAC.
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35-37 p.c. of annual defence budget contributes to nation building: Army Chief
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Army Chief General Bipin Rawat said a large part of the defence budget appeared to be a burden on the exchequer but actually went into nation building.
“There is always a concern amongst the citizenry and the people in uniform on the defence budget. In the Army Headquarters, we ordered a study on this and our preliminary reports suggest that anything between 35-37 per cent of the annual budget contributes to nation building,” he said.
Local produce in a particular area was purchased by troops in the area giving back in kind. “We also contribute to taxes, especially income tax, in a very honest manner.” The third aspect was United Nations peacekeeping missions. While the Services may be spending to maintain troops in U.N. missions, the returns go into the consolidated fund of India, he said.
Economic development, military modernisation and the existence of the armed forces should go hand-in-hand. “They cannot be divested from each other. Economic rise will take place if the nation is secure,” he said.