The defense budget for the year 2023-24 was increased from Rs 5.25 lakh crore to Rs 5.95 lakh crore. That is, a total of 69 thousand crores has been increased. This is a quarter of China’s defense budget and about 14 times more than Pakistan’s defense budget. But, this budget should not be seen in this context, because every country has its own security needs and security budget should be made accordingly.
If we compare with China, its economy is four-five times bigger. So if his budget is four times bigger than ours then it is only natural. Secondly, every defense budget, be it America or any other country, never has as much defense budget as the security forces want. It is never so small that it is not safe. Therefore a balance has to be maintained between the security need and the economic need.
Trying to balance the budget
If we start doing everything according to the Armed Forces, then there will be no money left for other things. But if you ignore it completely, then there will be no security. Therefore, a balance has been attempted in this budget. In another way, about 25 percent of the defense pension is going to be spent. So now it is known that how much Agniveer scheme was needed for us. Because if the expenditure on defense continues to increase in this way, then it will go bankrupt. There will be neither security nor economy.
Secondly, a huge amount has been kept for capital expenditure. But if the entire program of Make in India goes ahead, if it proves to be effective, then the needs of defense can be fulfilled with the same amount of money. Provided those things are imported.
Actually, an attempt has been made to coordinate there as well. Apart from this, if compared to the previous year, the amount that was kept for modernization has also not been fully utilized. So according to me there is nothing to worry about this budget.
Defence budget should not necessarily be 3% of GDP
Some people point fingers because of the fact that in the overall economy of India, the budget of security should ideally be 3 percent. But ours is 2 or even a little less. But that too becomes a dishonest thing. It is written in the constitution of Japan that the defense budget cannot be more than 1 percent of the national income. But, if your national income is the third largest economy in the world, then even that 1 percent becomes too much. If the national income is at number 100 in the world, then even 5 percent remains less. But, it is seen that after all what is your security requirement. The whole cannot be complete.
Never be like a two front war
It should be prayed to God that India never had to face the situation of two front war. This budget is not sufficient for that situation. Then, it is also to be seen that if we have to fight on two fronts, then the strategic weapons will also have to be brought into position. It is not possible that you fight on two fronts and do not need it. No country in the world can fight on two fronts simultaneously. America was also fighting two small wars with Iraq and Afghanistan, so at that time its condition became very bad.
Therefore, Pakistan may be 10 times smaller in terms of economy but it is one third of India in terms of military. That’s why try not to fight on two fronts.
(Note- The views given above are the personal views of the writer. It is not necessary that ABP News Group agrees with it. Only the writer is responsible for all the claims or objections related to this article.)
