Agra: India would remain neutral and not provide any logistical support to the US
and its allies in the event of a war on Iraq, Defence Minister George Fernandes said
on March 11.
Expressing the hope that the United Nations would be able find a workable solution
to the Iraqi crisis, Fernandes said, "India will not get involved in any way if war
came about."
"India," he said, "would not provide refuelling facilities to US or allied war
planes," and denied that there was any pressure on India from the US.
The Prime Minister has made India's position clear on the Floor of the Lok Sabha and
other places, Fernandes, who was in Agra to inaugurate a swadeshi mela organised by
the Centre for Bharatiya Marketing Development, said.
He said the Defence Ministry was giving priority to indigenous production of Defence
equipment and 120 small-scale units were involved in fabricating the recently flight-
tested Light Combat Aircraft and the Advance Light Helicopter.
He pointed out that under the present industrial policy, the number of small-scale
units in the country had increased from 34,42,000 in 2001-2002 to 35,72,000 this
year.
PTI
