Indian military will never plot a coup: Antony

[Aarush]

The HinduDefence Minister A.K. Antony speaks to the media at the district headquarters of Indian Coast Guard in Fort, Kochi on Sunday. Photo: Thulasi Kakkat


Defence Minister A.K. Antony on Sunday stood firmly behind the Indian armed forces, calling them ‘responsible’ and ‘forthright’.

“They will never plot a coup against the civil government. Military intervention in political governance will never occur in India,” he said on the recent revelation of former Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) that a troop movement towards New Delhi in 2012 had made the Union government restive.

Talking to the media on the sidelines of a Coast Guard investiture ceremony at Fort Kochi, Mr. Antony said he had continually interacted with ordinary soldiers manning Indian borders during his stint at the helm of the ministry over seven years now. “From my experience, I can confidently say that Indian military is a responsible force... They talk straight and are not diplomatic, but always abide by the policy decisions taken by the civil government. Matters pertaining to military operations, in the meantime, are handled by them,” he said.

Maintaining that there was nothing new in the DGMO revelations, he said he had responded on the issue with necessary proof in Parliament in 2012 when there was ‘speculation’ on the troop movement. There were official discussions and a report was also received. The so-called movement was a routine training exercise and the chapter was closed, he said, blaming the media for raking up the issue all over again.

Asked about the Navy coming under fire for a spate of recent accidents, he said though everyone was concerned about the safety of platforms and operations, occasional slip-ups could take place. “We are taking all incidents seriously. The Navy has taken corrective measures and ordered courts of inquiry into the incidents that happened in the last several months. But there’s nothing alarming about these incidents.”

He said the Navy was a growing force and every country, especially those in the Asia-Pacific region, wanted to have military cooperation with Indian armed forces, easily one of the best in the world.

Asked if China would be granted observer status in the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), Mr. Antony said India alone could not take a call on the issue. “It is a matter to be collectively decided by all IONS members… While India and China continued to differ in their perception of unsettled border points, occasional tensions are now being diffused in a satisfying manner at the formation level itself. This is in the aftermath of our border cooperation agreement with China. We have an ongoing dialogue and defence secretaries of both countries are meeting in Delhi on Monday.”

Mr. Antony countered the observation that India was gradually backtracking in the case against the Italian marines, who are facing trial for shooting dead Indian fishermen. “The government is pursuing the case against them under Indian law, but it is now being handled by the home and external affairs ministries,” he said.

Mr. Antony said international agencies had been asked to alert merchant vessels transiting hugging the Indian coast to dense fishing activity in the region. “We have told them that the region is piracy-free and that they should not mistake our fishermen for pirates or terrorists,” he said, adding that measures were being taken to get the region exempted from the ‘high risk area’ (HRA) listing.

The newly-inducted aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, he said, was now docked safely at Karwar. “They are now rechecking all critical systems. A group of Russian technicians who accompanied the vessel has gone back, but the guarantee team is still there. And the Indian Navy is capable of doing the work. Meanwhile, naval combat pilots are training on the carrier, which will be operational very soon.”

Indian military will never plot a coup: Antony - The Hindu

 

[spectribution]

The HinduDefence Minister A.K. Antony speaks to the media at the district headquarters of Indian Coast Guard in Fort, Kochi on Sunday. Photo: Thulasi Kakkat


Defence Minister A.K. Antony on Sunday stood firmly behind the Indian armed forces, calling them ‘responsible’ and ‘forthright’.

“They will never plot a coup against the civil government. Military intervention in political governance will never occur in India,” he said on the recent revelation of former Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) that a troop movement towards New Delhi in 2012 had made the Union government restive.

Talking to the media on the sidelines of a Coast Guard investiture ceremony at Fort Kochi, Mr. Antony said he had continually interacted with ordinary soldiers manning Indian borders during his stint at the helm of the ministry over seven years now. “From my experience, I can confidently say that Indian military is a responsible force... They talk straight and are not diplomatic, but always abide by the policy decisions taken by the civil government. Matters pertaining to military operations, in the meantime, are handled by them,” he said.

Maintaining that there was nothing new in the DGMO revelations, he said he had responded on the issue with necessary proof in Parliament in 2012 when there was ‘speculation’ on the troop movement. There were official discussions and a report was also received. The so-called movement was a routine training exercise and the chapter was closed, he said, blaming the media for raking up the issue all over again.

Asked about the Navy coming under fire for a spate of recent accidents, he said though everyone was concerned about the safety of platforms and operations, occasional slip-ups could take place. “We are taking all incidents seriously. The Navy has taken corrective measures and ordered courts of inquiry into the incidents that happened in the last several months. But there’s nothing alarming about these incidents.”

He said the Navy was a growing force and every country, especially those in the Asia-Pacific region, wanted to have military cooperation with Indian armed forces, easily one of the best in the world.

Asked if China would be granted observer status in the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), Mr. Antony said India alone could not take a call on the issue. “It is a matter to be collectively decided by all IONS members… While India and China continued to differ in their perception of unsettled border points, occasional tensions are now being diffused in a satisfying manner at the formation level itself. This is in the aftermath of our border cooperation agreement with China. We have an ongoing dialogue and defence secretaries of both countries are meeting in Delhi on Monday.”

Mr. Antony countered the observation that India was gradually backtracking in the case against the Italian marines, who are facing trial for shooting dead Indian fishermen. “The government is pursuing the case against them under Indian law, but it is now being handled by the home and external affairs ministries,” he said.

Mr. Antony said international agencies had been asked to alert merchant vessels transiting hugging the Indian coast to dense fishing activity in the region. “We have told them that the region is piracy-free and that they should not mistake our fishermen for pirates or terrorists,” he said, adding that measures were being taken to get the region exempted from the ‘high risk area’ (HRA) listing.

The newly-inducted aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, he said, was now docked safely at Karwar. “They are now rechecking all critical systems. A group of Russian technicians who accompanied the vessel has gone back, but the guarantee team is still there. And the Indian Navy is capable of doing the work. Meanwhile, naval combat pilots are training on the carrier, which will be operational very soon.”

Indian military will never plot a coup: Antony - The Hindu

Sir the way your govt. functions even Pakistan will find it beneath their dignity to stage a coup on you.

 

[SrNair]

Sir the way your govt. functions even Pakistan will find it beneath their dignity to stage a coup on you.

I dont agree with that completely.He do his duty perfectly except some delaying in arms purchase but that will good in long term.But his colleagues is a complete failure.

 

[Koovie]

Surprise?

We are not some failed state in which the government is controlled by generals

 

[faithfulguy]

If they are such complete failures, then why people of India voted them in a 2nd term?

The answer is that most people on here knows what is best of India but the mast majority of voters only care about getting something tangible for their vote, such as a dinner for election night. As a result, the same people will come back to power again and again. The most Indian members will just complain in frustration. India should allow only people with stake in the future of country to vote. In the old days, only land owners, no matter what size, get to cast a vote as one vote. None land owners do not get to vote as they have no stake in the country. Eventually, as the countries become more developed, more people get to vote until universal suffrage. I'm not saying that India should use land owning as the criteria for voting. But it must use something to prevent the people that would sell their voters from voting.

 

[SrNair]

If they are such complete failures, then why people of India voted them in a 2nd term?

The answer is that most people on here knows what is best of India but the mast majority of voters only care about getting something tangible for their vote, such as a dinner for election night. As a result, the same people will come back to power again and again. The most Indian members will just complain in frustration. India should allow only people with stake in the future of country to vote. In the old days, only land owners, no matter what size, get to cast a vote as one vote. None land owners do not get to vote as they have no stake in the country. Eventually, as the countries become more developed, more people get to vote until universal suffrage. I'm not saying that India should use land owning as the criteria for voting. But it must use something to prevent the people that would sell their voters from voting.

Dude,, dont comment on a subject that you dont know or cant understand.You cant understand the politics in India.It considerably vary from states to states and region to region.States that is quite advanced and held election like developed country and to states that is poor and family dynasty politics.

 

[faithfulguy]

Dude,, dont comment on a subject that you dont know or cant understand.You cant understand the politics in India.It considerably vary from states to states and region to region.States that is quite advanced and held election like developed country and to states that is poor and family dynasty politics.

There is nothing wrong with having family dynasty politics in poor areas. But I'm not talking about which part has better democracy or which part has worse. But as a whole, the basic notion of one person, one vote has failed India and this need to be changed.

Otherwise, someone like Modi will never come to power.

 

[janon]

And the sun will never rise in the west.

1)There is nothing wrong with having family dynasty politics in poor areas.
...
2) But as a whole, the basic notion of one person, one vote has failed India and this need to be changed.

Otherwise, someone like Modi will never come to power.

1) But it shouldn't happen in rich areas?
2) So let's make it one person two votes, shall we?

Such superficial and trite comments are the bane of any political discussion.

 

[SrNair]

There is nothing wrong with having family dynasty politics in poor areas. But I'm not talking about which part has better democracy or which part has worse. But as a whole, the basic notion of one person, one vote has failed India and this need to be changed.

Otherwise, someone like Modi will never come to power.

Modi will come to power if Indians want him.At the present climate that may happen.UPA rule in 2004 to 2009 is best with good
economic growth.Present Congress problem is due to corruption charges between 2009 to 2013 tenure.Congress dont expect unique rise and media hunting in a emerging India .They cant anticipate the social revolution in India.But one is clear what ever the government they dont sold our country entirely like some other nations to foreign powers.And in future it is also like that.

 

[arp2041]

There is nothing wrong with having family dynasty politics in poor areas. But I'm not talking about which part has better democracy or which part has worse. But as a whole, the basic notion of one person, one vote has failed India and this need to be changed.

Otherwise, someone like Modi will never come to power.

I must admit, sometimes you do make sense.

Seriously what are you suggesting as an alternative, no democracy at all?

If they are such complete failures, then why people of India voted them in a 2nd term?

The answer is that most people on here knows what is best of India but the mast majority of voters only care about getting something tangible for their vote, such as a dinner for election night. As a result, the same people will come back to power again and again. The most Indian members will just complain in frustration. India should allow only people with stake in the future of country to vote. In the old days, only land owners, no matter what size, get to cast a vote as one vote. None land owners do not get to vote as they have no stake in the country. Eventually, as the countries become more developed, more people get to vote until universal suffrage. I'm not saying that India should use land owning as the criteria for voting. But it must use something to prevent the people that would sell their voters from voting.

But, Democracy without universal suffrage isn't democracy at all, how can we say some of our people that you aren't allowed to vote since there is a danger of your selling your vote for anything essential.

 

[spectribution]

I dont agree with that completely.He do his duty perfectly except some delaying in arms purchase but that will good in long term.But his colleagues is a complete failure.

Some delay? The saint takes 10 yrs for a simple artillery deal and blacklists company even if charges are unfounded as in barak 1 case. He is pathetic.

 

[SrNair]

Some delay? The saint takes 10 yrs for a simple artillery deal and blacklists company even if charges are unfounded as in barak 1 case. He is pathetic.

I dont think so.This same saint give order for 750 Akash missiles and signed a 3 billion $ deal for that.We may have external threat but that dont mean we import all defence system during this recession time.

 

[faithfulguy]

I must admit, sometimes you do make sense.

Seriously what are you suggesting as an alternative, no democracy at all?



But, Democracy without universal suffrage isn't democracy at all, how can we say some of our people that you aren't allowed to vote since there is a danger of your selling your vote for anything essential.

Not all democracy without universal suffrage. US didn't have universal suffrage until 1920 but it was a functioning democracy since its founding. India should have a democracy as I see many spirited debate over national matter here on this forum from India. However, Indians that would be interested on this forum or that has even internet access composed of a small percentage of the population. What India is need is grant votes for people who have a stake in the future of the country. How that is done is up to the people of India to decide. If India can find a formula that works, than it will be copied all over and India will be rightfully praised for come up with a solution to bring working democracy to people. But one thing for sure is that universal suffrage had failed India and India needs an alternative.

 

[spectribution]

I dont think so.This same saint give order for 750 Akash missiles and signed a 3 billion $ deal for that.We may have external threat but that dont mean we import all defence system during this recession time.

If he goes on blacklisting, day will come when we have no companies for tech, etc. Congress is root of all problems in this country.

 

[M. Sarmad]

The HinduDefence Minister A.K. Antony speaks to the media at the district headquarters of Indian Coast Guard in Fort, Kochi on Sunday. Photo: Thulasi Kakkat

Remove "The Hindu" or put a colon at least to separate the name of newspaper from the description . I thought that it (un necessarily) represented the religion of your defence minister