Nobel Peace Prize winner and former President of Costa Rica, Oscar Arias Sanchez today emphasised the need to cut military spending by nations including India so that more money could be spent on development, education and health. "The world is spending 175 trillion dollars on arms and ammunition. Poor countries of the world do not need to spend that much. India is one of the biggest importers of arms. There is need to cut the military spending by all the countries," he said. "However, neither exporters nor importers of arms want to ratify the Arms Trade Treaty that seeks to regulate the international trade in arms," he said during a meeting with Maharashtra Governor K Sankaranarayanan at Raj Bhavan here. Sanchez, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1987 for his efforts to achieve a lasting peace in Central America, is currently on a visit to India under the Distinguished Visitors' Programme. The visit is being hosted by Indian Council for Cultural Relations of the Union Ministry of External Affairs. Sanchez told the Governor that he had introduced the Arms Trade Treaty in the United Nations in 2009. He rued that only 11 governments out of 80 had ratified the Treaty, and added that it would come into force only if it was ratified by 50 states, a Raj Bhavan spokesperson said. Costa Rica, which has a population of 4.5 million, does not have its own army, Sanchez said while he was all praise for India's democracy. Welcoming the Nobel laureate to Maharashtra, Sankaranarayanan explained to him the challenges before India. He also dwelt on the election process in the country. Sanchez's spouse Suzanne Fischel was also present on the occasion. He was the President of Costa Rica between 1986 and 1990 and again from 2006 to 2010. timesofindia
Only in dreams...guess he is living in a dream world. With Pakistan and China breathing down our neck we will only increase defence spending. If he is so much concerned, perhaps he should act by eliminating these threats and then we might just consider his advice.
He doesn't have hostile neighbors who are constantly in a verge to get the upper hand on defense or are just waiting for a chance to start a war either. Winning noble prize doesn't make you an expert on the defense sector of any countries either. The Percentage of GDP used in defense sector in India is decreasing. The total output of GDP is increasing hence more Defense budget. India | Data He should go back to Costa rica and make it a better place first before telling others how to run their country.
Nobel Laureates tend to be woolly in their concept of the realities of the world. Even that Communist Amratya Sen is, and he is full of hot air with little realisation of the realities of India!
Do people actually take the Peace prize seriously, after POTUS Barack Hussein Obama got one Sometime back the Nobel Peace prize people were talking about giving one to Snowden to try and redeem the honor of the prize, after it was given to Obama.
ask him to contact kejri. He will start dharnas to decrease mlitary budget and give rights to gramsabha to decide which arms and ammunition to purchase Total Swaraj
He should first preach to USA, EU, China etc. Btw, Costa Rica is a small banana republic, practically a protectorate of USA. What will do with an army?
He might even invite buffalos in decision making about which ammo round or plane to purchase as they are also citizens of India and their opinion matters. On topic... does this baboon Oscar Arias Sanchez knows where is India on map?
His argument would make sense if India was spending a disproportionate amount of its GDP on military. Countries like Pakistan, North Korea etc have always had high Military spending as a percentage of GDP. Today, their military is in shambles and so is their economy.
That's why he is compared to that Chuhia-Chuhia dog and I called him a baboon. Noble laureate my foot.
Tender this advice to China, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia etc. India is already very low on Defence expenses for its size and threats.
Watch your language. Moderators are watching you. You have to be careful Rock127. Delete your post or give better argument.
