INDIAN government proposed on Wednesday 5.94 trillion rupees ($72.6 billion) in defence spending for the 2023-24 financial year, 13 per cent up from the previous period’s initial estimates, aiming to add more fighter jets, weapons, warships and other military hardware.
Under Modi, one has seen India transforming its defence and foreign policy posture towards the advancement of weapons and infrastructure.
The country has signed some big ticket deals with different countries including purchase of Rafale from France and the Missile Defence system from Russia.
All this once again abundantly makes it clear the hegemonic designs on the part of India.
It is really unfortunate that certain western countries are also supporting New Delhi in this endeavour to counter the rise of China. Emboldened from this support, India is also trying to heat up the border with China.
There have been clashes between Indian and Chinese troops in Ladakh and most recently it took place just in December last year.
Though the Chinese troops delivered a bloody nose to the Indian troops but it does not mean that New Delhi will refrain from any misadventure in future.
Providing all sorts of weapons by the western world to a country which is currently being ruled by extremist elements is nothing short of playing with the fire.
South Asia is already one of the most under-developed regions of the world because of unresolved issues, especially that of Jammu and Kashmir.
Because of India’s enhanced defence spending, it makes it necessary for Pakistan to stay prepared to counter any offensive from its arch rival.
Hence, resources are being spent more on weapons rather than addressing the chronic issues of backwardness, poverty and illiteracy.
The Indian hostile approach has really restricted the regional integration and also made the SAARC totally dysfunctional.
Both Pakistan and India are nuclear powers and even any limited conflict between them would have serious consequences not only for the region but for the whole world.
Whilst nothing good can be expected from an extremist like Modi but it is for important capitals to rein in New Delhi instead of feeding it to become a bloody monster.
