[It is somewhat ironic that Modi talked of the plan to *export* Indian arms on board a naval aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov, rechristened as INS Vikramaditya and understandably the single most expensive piece of armament *imported* by India as yet, reportedly at US$ 2.3 billion, at the behest of the just deposed regime and already commissioned under the regime bygone, without much fanfare though. It is not clear whether he considers, or rather his chosen advisors consider, 100% FDI in military production - as announced soon after taking over power at the Centre, as an organic component of indigenising military production. As it was just a one way speech, as is most usually the case with him, there was no way to probe the matter further. Be that as it may, and regardless of whether such dream is going to fructify or not, the vision of turning India into a global arms dealer, or rather the public campaign to trigger such aspirations, speaks for itself.]
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/india-needs-to-export-arms-equip-smaller-nations/ 'India needs to export arms, equip smaller nations' Written by Manu Pubby <http://indianexpress.com/profile/author/manu-pubby/> | On Board Ins Vikramaditya | June 15, 2014 2:05 am SUMMARY Narendra Modi, on his first outing from the capital since he took charge, underlined that Indian arms and ammunition should be exported across the world. Braving the wind and rain that lashed aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya as it sailed off Goa, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on his first outing from the capital since he took charge, underlined Saturday that Indian arms and ammunition should be exported across the world and used by smaller nations to protect themselves. As he stood on the most expensive platform ever imported by India, Modi spelt out his vision of the nation as a net exporter of weapons, making it clear that his government would promote self-reliance in arms. He said technology was available and the goal of indigenization of defence platforms should not stop with just meeting the demands of the armed forces. Landing on the carrier on board a Sea King helicopter from the Hansa naval base in Goa, Modi proceeded to a battle-ready MiG-29K fighter parked on the fight deck. He climbed into the cockpit and interacted with pilots before going to the bridge deck to witness combat demonstrations by warships and aircraft of the western fleet. Discussing the capability of the carrier and the fleet during the three-hour display, he made his first statement on national security while addressing over 1,600 sailors and officers on board. He said India would engage with all nations as an equal and never be intimidated: "Hum kisiko na aankh dikhaayenge, na aankh jhukaayenge, duniya se aankh milaa ke baat karenge." -- Peace Is Doable -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Green Youth Movement" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send an email to [email protected]. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/greenyouth. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
