Author: Our Special Correspondent
Publication: The Hindu
Date: May 12, 2003
URL: http://www.hinduonnet.com/stories/2003051204410100.htm
Speaking on Technology Day to the
country's leading defence scientists today, the Prime Minister, Atal Behari
Vajpayee, hit out at the West's three- decade-long endeavour to impair
India's quest to become self-reliant in hi-tech defence technologies while
turning a blind eye to covert attempts in this by its neighbours. India's
self-abnegation in turning down lucrative export offers to maintain the
regional security balance and comply with international treaties also went
unacknowledged, he said.
Speaking five years after India
conducted its second series of nuclear tests, the Prime Minister reminded
the audience that sanctions did not begin in 1998. They were first imposed
after the first tests in 1974 though India was not a party to the `discriminatory'
non-proliferation treaty. A few years later other sanctions were added
on under `equally discriminating' missile technology control regimes. Many
of the sanctions imposed years ago remain in place today.
"In our near and extended neighbourhood,
we can see many examples of double standards in this. Countries guilty
of missile and nuclear proliferation have not attracted sanctions. Some
even continue to receive liberal economic assistance. In sharp contrast,
India has strictly exercised a self-imposed restraint on transfer of nuclear,
missile and dual use technologies and materials. We have denied ourselves
many lucrative contracts and joint ventures. We have never received any
recognition for this."
The Prime Minister highlighted the
importance of continuing with indigenous efforts at R&D for major defence
and dual use items because of inequitable and discriminatory practices
by those who already possess these capabilities and their reluctance to
lend a helping hand to India. Moreover, technology has acquiring a greater
role in modern warfare.
"There can be no respite. War-fighting
technologies are being constantly upgraded. Recent military conflicts in
our neighbourhood have graphically demonstrated this. They underline the
importance of overwhelming technological superiority over an adversary.
Technological innovation is a continuing imperative."
Tackling terrorism required superiority
in technology, said the Prime Minister recalling his earlier exhortation
to defence research and development institutions to give priority to developing
such technologies.
Referring to the frequently observed
mismatch between requirements and research, he wanted intensive coordination
between the technology developers and user agencies of the armed forces
to ensure that every product fulfils the technical parameters and meets
the exact battlefield requirements. Also, optimal exploitation of all R&D
must be ensured by readjusting it for civilian applications and appreciated
DRDO's efforts in this direction.
The Prime Minister acknowledged
an earlier appeal by the Scientific Adviser to the Defence Minister, V.
K. Atre, for an incentive package to retain defence scientists but offered
no assurances in this regard. Dr. Atre had said that retaining scientists
required additional incentives and sought the Prime Minister's intervention
for clearing the proposals which were held up, presumably at the bureaucracy
level.
Earlier, the Defence Minister, George
Fernandes, also referred to the significance of technology in warfare which
was demonstrated twice in recent years in the same locale. He hit out at
the detractors of defence scientists who were impairing efforts at morale
building.
