New Delhi: Current challenges for India at China and Pakistan borders may force the government to increase defence budget in 2021. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the budget 2021 on February 1.
The government of India had increased its Defence budget 6 percent last year which was around 15 percent of total budget.
In 2020-21, the Ministry of Defence allocated Rs 4,71,378 crore that included expenditure for salaries of armed forces and civilians, pensions, modernisation of armed forces, production establishments, maintenance and research and development organisations.
India had announced $71.1 billion for its defence budget and China’s defence was $261 billion in 2020.
New Delhi government may promote “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” campaign more to manufacture necessary and important weapons in India.
Defence experts said that “The government of India has reacted very aggressively with China after the Galwan Ghati clash last year. The way New Delhi took the steps against China – it was a fabulous and strong reply to China from India.”
“Beijing may try to disrupt the peace at border near India in future, so the government should not trust China again,” experts said.
China and Pakistan are consistently challenging New Delhi at borders and forcing the government to store more weapons. Chinese Army (PLA) already tried to disrupt the peace at Doklam, Sikkim and Ladakh at present.
The Beijing government has deployed its commando, army and dangerous weapons near Indian border.
The central government will purchase necessary weapons from the foreign nations in the next two years and will construct roads and bridges near international borders.
_Vinayak.Barot
