| Publication |
2014.
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| Summary/Abstract |
Despite his good intentions and out-of-the-box approach on defence, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will, ironically, be preparing India to fight the last war better. Reason: no one has told the Prime Minister that like other ministries, even defence needs a policy, which he has to formulate, before acquisition of armament begins. Otherwise, it will be putting the cart before the horse. Probably the best thing about making a policy will be that Indian armed forces will be able to do more with less money as the defence services will be compelled to review their capacities, capabilities and doctrines.
In a related development, no government since Independence has been sworn in without a full time defence minister unless the Prime Minister has kept the portfolio with himself. In a first, the Modi government has an interim defence minister, which I would like to believe is how he wanted it. Finance minister, Arun Jaitley, a close confidante of Modi, on assuming additional charge of defence made it known that it is a temporary arrangement. Giving reason for doing so, he said in an oblique fashion that acquisitions are a priority for the government.
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