- Joined
- Jun 17, 2011
- Messages
- 1,273
- Likes
- 1,376
With Pakistan unable to match India's economic and military might, Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said that the defence budgets of Pakistan and India should be in line with their capacities and if a dialogue between the two countries is held, resources can be better spent on the poor.
Both India and Pakistan, he said, were spending huge amounts on defence whereas this amount could be spent on the development of the social sector. He said that there was an arms race between both the countries. "If India purchases arms, Pakistan will be compelled to do so," the prime minister said in an interview to a private TV channel here on Saturday.
In a desperate move to convince India to tone down its hi-tech defence acquisitions worth billions of dollars which has in the past decade heavily tilted the military balance of power in India's favour, the Pakistani Prime Minister has realised that his country cannot match India 'economically and militarily'.
Pakistan cannot afford a war even with Nepal or Bhutan (for argument's sake), leave alone India. Its actual foreign exchange reserves have fallen to just about ten billion dollars which are not enough even for one month's imports. According to international norms, a nation state should consider itself in the comfort zone only when it has enough foreign exchange reserves for at least three month's imports. In contrast, India's foreign exchange reserves are a healthy $ 292 billion as of 31 May, 2013.
What bothers Pakistan even more is that inspite of the United States openly calling Pakistan an ally on the war on terror, it cuddles up to India and declares joint production and co-development of sophisticated weapons which only the closest US allies have the privilege.
The Pakistani PM said at present, the situation in Pakistan, India and the entire region was not satisfactory owing to an arms race and a major shift in the balance of power towards India.
"Had we spent this money on the social sector, particularly education and health, it would have immensely benefited the nation and the country," he said. He advised that Pakistan and India should not intervene in each other's internal matters.
Prime Minister Nawaz said his statement on the Kashmir issue is based on historic facts and stressed that the United Nations should honour its own resolution.
"What I have said is a factual truth. I have tried to remind the United Nations that it should implement the resolution passed by its Security Council," the prime minister said, referring to his statement in the UN's General Assembly.
To a question, Nawaz Sharif said he would try to bridge the distances with India during his upcoming meeting with his Indian counterpart Dr Manmohan Singh on the sidelines of UNGA in New York.
He said that Islamabad not only wanted strong relations with New Delhi but was willing to address all the issues including Kashmir through dialogue. "I feel proud because I was the only person who brought both countries close and ex-Indian premier Attal Bihari Vajpayee visited Pakistan and we want to start peace process from the point where it was disconnected," he added.
Nawaz said that he repeatedly raised the Kashmir issue during the elections and after taking oath as the prime minister, adding that he had said if he was elected as premier, he would extend a hand of friendship to India.
"The masses, accepting the PML-N stance, have given me a clear mandate to enhance cooperation with India," Nawaz said, adding that the masses had supported the PML-N policy on Kashmir.
He declared the Siachen is also an important issue between the two countries, adding that in the modern era it was difficult to understand that the forces should sit on a 22,000 feet height and "I want to resolve this issue alongside the Sir Creek issue as well".
The prime minister said the government was committed to eradicate terrorism in the country and warned that force could be used in this regard if necessary.
About his meeting with the US President Barack Obama in October at the White House, he said efforts would be made to remove the misunderstandings between the two countries.
Defence News - Pakistan unable to match India - Economically & Militarily
Both India and Pakistan, he said, were spending huge amounts on defence whereas this amount could be spent on the development of the social sector. He said that there was an arms race between both the countries. "If India purchases arms, Pakistan will be compelled to do so," the prime minister said in an interview to a private TV channel here on Saturday.
In a desperate move to convince India to tone down its hi-tech defence acquisitions worth billions of dollars which has in the past decade heavily tilted the military balance of power in India's favour, the Pakistani Prime Minister has realised that his country cannot match India 'economically and militarily'.
Pakistan cannot afford a war even with Nepal or Bhutan (for argument's sake), leave alone India. Its actual foreign exchange reserves have fallen to just about ten billion dollars which are not enough even for one month's imports. According to international norms, a nation state should consider itself in the comfort zone only when it has enough foreign exchange reserves for at least three month's imports. In contrast, India's foreign exchange reserves are a healthy $ 292 billion as of 31 May, 2013.
What bothers Pakistan even more is that inspite of the United States openly calling Pakistan an ally on the war on terror, it cuddles up to India and declares joint production and co-development of sophisticated weapons which only the closest US allies have the privilege.
The Pakistani PM said at present, the situation in Pakistan, India and the entire region was not satisfactory owing to an arms race and a major shift in the balance of power towards India.
"Had we spent this money on the social sector, particularly education and health, it would have immensely benefited the nation and the country," he said. He advised that Pakistan and India should not intervene in each other's internal matters.
Prime Minister Nawaz said his statement on the Kashmir issue is based on historic facts and stressed that the United Nations should honour its own resolution.
"What I have said is a factual truth. I have tried to remind the United Nations that it should implement the resolution passed by its Security Council," the prime minister said, referring to his statement in the UN's General Assembly.
To a question, Nawaz Sharif said he would try to bridge the distances with India during his upcoming meeting with his Indian counterpart Dr Manmohan Singh on the sidelines of UNGA in New York.
He said that Islamabad not only wanted strong relations with New Delhi but was willing to address all the issues including Kashmir through dialogue. "I feel proud because I was the only person who brought both countries close and ex-Indian premier Attal Bihari Vajpayee visited Pakistan and we want to start peace process from the point where it was disconnected," he added.
Nawaz said that he repeatedly raised the Kashmir issue during the elections and after taking oath as the prime minister, adding that he had said if he was elected as premier, he would extend a hand of friendship to India.
"The masses, accepting the PML-N stance, have given me a clear mandate to enhance cooperation with India," Nawaz said, adding that the masses had supported the PML-N policy on Kashmir.
He declared the Siachen is also an important issue between the two countries, adding that in the modern era it was difficult to understand that the forces should sit on a 22,000 feet height and "I want to resolve this issue alongside the Sir Creek issue as well".
The prime minister said the government was committed to eradicate terrorism in the country and warned that force could be used in this regard if necessary.
About his meeting with the US President Barack Obama in October at the White House, he said efforts would be made to remove the misunderstandings between the two countries.
Defence News - Pakistan unable to match India - Economically & Militarily
Well Said !
