The UPA government’s decision to allow 100 per cent FDI in defence has smashed to tatters India’s longstanding philosophy of ‘Swadeshi’. After allowing FDI in vital sectors like banking, telecom, insurance, retail and railways, the latest move has further jeopardised the nation’s sovereign interests. We already see a situation where Pakistan is demanding a civilian nuclear deal with the U.S. on similar lines of the latter’s 123 agreement with India. After the foreign defence companies put up shop on India’s soil, it may lead to a knee-jerk reaction causing an arms race in the whole region. It would be prudent if the policymakers think twice before they allow FDI in Defence.
Syed Sultan Mohiddin
Kadapa, A.P.