We may soon become a war mongering nation, like the US, shattering the non-violent ideals which won our independence.
PM Modi’s $250 billion war chest is powering the aggression, even as millions of Indians struggle to survive.
Our private sector (Tatas, Ambanis, Mahindra, L&T, Hindujas….) is wagging tails & dripping saliva at the huge money-making opportunity, least bothered about the downsides of a runaway domestic defense industry.
We are following the American example, almost to a T, ignoring how the American defense industry lobby influences US government’s military and foreign policy to further its own interests. The more wars & conflicts US engages in and the longer they last, the better it is for the US defense industry. So might be the case in India soon.
- L&T’s Chairman AM Naik brandishes his Project Lakshya, which will generate an annual business of Rs.10,000 crores from the defense industry. He sees opportunities worth Rs.70,000 crores.
- Anil Ambani wants to pick up Rs. 2.85 lakh crores in defense business in the next 3-5 years. He sees opportunities worth 15 lakh crores over the next 15 years.
- The Tata Group already generates more than Rs.2,500 crores from defense & aerospace. Defense is a key growth sector for the group.
Mahindra, Hindujas, Godrej and many other Indian companies, big & small, are eyeing the big government spending in defence.
Dozens of foreign weapons manufacturers, military equipment specialists, defense contractors etc. are camping in India to win business. Government has made it easier by allowing 100% FDI. Many of them already partner Indian companies.
As the domestic defense industry grows and the companies taste blood, what will happen next? They will want more blood. They will lobby for the government to spend more on defense, as it happens in the US. How can the government justify more spending every year? By engaging in more wars & conflicts. India’s foreign & military policies, actions & engagements will soon be dictated by the Indian defense lobby.
We should not be surprised if we are actively engaged in a dozen international conflicts in the next 10-20 years. Throughout history, wars have been justified in many ways. Rest assured PM Modi and/or his successors will come up with interesting rationale to justify our increasing military expenditure & campaigns, and compelling slogans to whip-up our passions & support.
Can we avoid this?
L&T in the forefront of defence