Lok Sabha Debates
Regarding New Framework For The U.S. India Defence Relationship. on 2 August, 2005
> Title: Regarding new framework for the U.S. India Defence relationship.
12.05 hrs. STATEMENT BY MINISTER *THE MINISTER OF DEFENCE (SHRI PRANAB MUKHERJEE): Sir, I beg to present a statement regarding the ‘New Framework for the U.S-India Defence Relationship’.
I made an official visit to the United States of America (USA) recently at the end of June, 2005 at the invitation of the US Secretary of Defence. The visit provided an opportunity for an exchange of views with the US leadership on international security issues and to promote cooperation with the US to strengthen and modernize our Armed Forces and our Defence industries through increased professional interaction in the military sphere and collaboration in the sphere of Defence equipment and technology in the mutual interest of both countries. A document entitled ‘New Framework for the US-India Defence Relationship’ was signed during the visit. The ‘Framework’ contains only enabling provisions. It does not contain any commitments or obligations.
The ‘Framework’ updates the ‘Agreed Minutes on Defence Relations between India and the United States’ signed in January, 1995. It identifies global security threats that have seriously affected our security, such as terrorism and violent religious extremism, and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and related materials, data and technologies as areas of shared concern, and provides for cooperation with the US to enhance our capabilities in responding to these and prospects of cooperation in advanced and sensitive technologies and other challenges like natural disasters. It reflects our interest in the security of the sea-lanes and regional and global security and stability. It establishes a new Defence Procurement and Production Group under the existing Defence Policy * Also placed in Library. See No. LT 2402/05 Group to promote a defence trade, production and technology relationship with the US. It also provides for a dialogue on international security issues, and cooperation with the international community to promote regional and global stability through cooperative actions in the mutual interest.
The visit builds on ongoing efforts to expand cooperation with the US in the field of high technology by opening up the US as a potential source of advanced defence equipment and technology, increasing our options and leverage vis-à-vis suppliers in the acquisition of Defence technology, promoting cooperation with the US to enhance the capabilities of India’s Armed Forces and Defence industries, and increasing our strategic maneuverability in international affairs.
The ‘Framework’ document should be seen in this context. Concerns expressed in Parliament and in the press on the implications of the document have included apprehensions that it commits India to deploying troops in support of US-led coalition operations in Iraq and possibly elsewhere; that it adopts vocabulary and language, and therefore the world view, of the United States; and that it promotes US security interests and not ours, and therefore, compromises our security. None of these apprehensions are justified. The document, more than anything else, signals US willingness to enhance Defence cooperation with India and strengthen our Defence capabilities. It is in our interest to see how we can exploit this change of attitude to our advantage. It is an enabling document that provides a framework within which specific cooperation can take place. It is up to us how we develop this. This will not be dictated to us. It will be decided by mutual agreement.
The presumption that “shared” interests involving the US must necessarily mean primacy to US interests, reflects a lack of self-confidence in ourselves. As a trustee of the legacy of independence, secularism, non-alignment and autonomy and independence on our domestic and foreign policies, we have the self-confidence that we will be able to recognize and resist anything that is not in our national interest, not confuse US interests with ours, or subordinate our interests to US interests.
प्रो. विजय कुमार मल्होत्रा (दक्षिण दिल्ली) : महोदय, इस पर डिबेट होनी चाहिए, क्योंकि हमारी बहुत सी रिज़र्वेशन्स हैं। … (Interruptions) We want a discussion on this subject.
MR. SPEAKER: We shall discuss it. But proper notice must be given for it. I will allow it. You are all experienced hon. Members. You should take the initiative.
… (Interruptions)
मोहम्मद सलीम (कलकत्ता-उत्तर पूर्व) : नौ सेना के वॉर रूम के कम्प्यूटर से जानकारी लीक होने पर मंत्री जी ने कोई बयान नहीं दिया है।…( व्यवधान)
MR. SPEAKER: Let there be no preliminary discussion now. We shall have a proper discussion on this subject.
… (Interruptions)
श्री हरिसिंह चावड़ा (बनासकांठा) : महोदय, मैं कभी खड़ा नहीं होता हूं। मेरे क्षेत्र पालमपुर में दो घण्टे में १० से १५ इंच बारिश हुई है, जिसके कारण वहां का जन-जीवन अस्त-व्यस्त हो गया है।…( व्यवधान)
अध्यक्ष महोदय : आप बैठ जाइए। आपको बोलने के लिए समय दिया VÉÉAMÉÉ[MSOffice3] ।
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