London: In a stern warning, India has told Pakistan that it would be "erased from
the world map", if it uses nuclear weapons against India.
"We have been saying all through, that the person who heads Pakistan today, who is
also the whole and sole incharge of that country, has been talking about using
dangerous weapons including the nukes," India's Defence Minister George Fernandes
said on January 26 night.
"Well, I would reply by saying that if Pakistan has decided that it wants to get
itself destroyed and erased from the world map, then it may take this step of
madness, but if wants to survive then it would not do so," he said.
Participating in a BBC World's phone-in programme in Hindi – "Aap ki bath, BBC ke
sath" - Fernandes said, "There has been this talk Pakistani nuclear weapons falling
in the hands of dangerous elements. But we believe that whatever be the policy of
Pakistani leadership towards India, howsoever irresponsible they may be, it is
difficult to accept that they would put such weapons in the hands of individuals or
organisations, who might eventually use them."
Answering a question on infiltration of terrorists from across the border in Jammu
and Kashmir, Fernandes said after Taleban and al-Qaida were vanquished in
Afghanistan, "armed units of Taleban that fled from Kabul, entered Pakistan".
"Now they were provided not only shelter by Pakistan, but all possible help
including training, which is in full knowledge of the world, America included. But
how far America would be ready to impress upon Pakistan to give up such dangerous
policies, is difficult to say as of today," he said.
Asked specifically what India had achieved by deploying the Army on the border, the
Defence Minister said if such an action was not taken "Pakistan could have repeated
the Kargil-type activity" and "we were alert against any misadventure".
"We were suspicious that Pakistan could take any major step, therefore, the need was
to be prepared against any eventuality," he said.
"After we deployed our Army on the border, Pakistan also did the same, but did not
try anything else. It was due to our deployment that they did not take any further
step, and if they had tried, we would have given them a befitting reply.
The target given to the armed forces here was to keep the country's borders safe,
which it did well," Fernandes said.
To a question whether it was proper to use the army for counter-insurgency
operations, Fernandes said personally he was not in favour of it.
"I had in fact made it clear the day I assumed the charge of Defence Ministry that
the work of the Army is to protect the borders and fight wars, and not to struggle
with the internal problems of the country," he said.
"But today we are dealing with a 'proxy war'. It is not a problem of internal
revolt; it is a war imposed on us by Pakistan. Therefore the Army is facing the
challenge it faces."
On whether the Indian Defence system was capable of meeting any eventuality, he
answered in the affirmative.
"Yes today we are fully equipped, but five or six years before the government-led by
Atalji came to power, the strategic capability of the armed forces was hindered due
to lack of funds. But we have removed these hurdles, and whatever is necessary for
nation's Defence that we have today," he said.
"I feel it is a matter of greatest pride that today we have such a Defence
capability that no enemy would even dare to stare at us, this is unprecedented for
our country."
When a questioner pointed that there has been a feeling that Indian Defence policy
is reactionary, especially acting in response to Pakistan, he said, "Indian policy
has been to maintain peace. If you look at it historically, I am not talking of only
a century or two centuries, I am talking of a thousand years, India has never
attacked any nation, on the contrary we have been attacked.
"I think this has been the greatness of India, that we have followed the path of
peace, tolerance and brotherhood. It is the land of Gautam Buddha, Mahavir and
Mahatma Gandhi."
Fernandes was piqued when a questioner said that since the present National
Democratic Front (NDA) government took over, Indian security has suffered, whether
it was Kargil, attack on Parliament or Kaluchak. "But this government has been
cleverly manipulating the situation in its favour."
Fernandes said it might have been the BBC listener's view. "You do not know about
the security preparedness. Those in the know of things, are fully aware how we have
successfully dealt with the situation, in our country we do not hold public debates
on strategic matters."
To a question from BBC that there has been a worry that the Indian Nuclear Command
Structure was not fully safe or foolproof, especially when India loses so many
soldiers even in the laying of landmines, Fernandes said, "If you are talking about
the Nuclear Command Structure, it is in place, there is no problem with it. The
entire rights rest with the Prime Minister."
As regards deaths owing to the landmines, Fernandes said, "At the time when
landmines were laid, it was compulsory, there was no alternative, and for the
security of the country such situation arises, you cannot avoid that."
Asked what Indian government proposed to do since China had taken over the Coco
Island near Andaman and Nicobar Islands on lease from Burma to use it as a military
base, the minister said the Coco Island was part of India until it was donated to
Burma by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
"China and Pakistan have been old friends, but as of today we can say that efforts
are being made to improve relations between India and China. If we continue the
ongoing efforts, we would achieve success."
He said it was not correct to say that the armed forces had failed miserably in
dealing with the cross-border terrorism.
"Just last year our armed forces succeeded in killing almost 2,000 of these
terrorists; in the year before that, almost 1,500. It is not that terrorists who
come from across the border survive, yes they are coming, but then they are being
killed too."
PTI
