‘Will Definitely Consider It’: MoS Defence On Army Chief Naravane's PoK Statement

Minister of State for Defence Shripad Yesso Naik on Tuesday backed Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane’s statement on Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK). Naravane had said, there is a parliamentary resolution that entire Jammu and Kashmir is part of India. If Parliament wants it, then, that area (PoK) also should belong to us. When we get orders to that effect, we'll take appropriate action.

Naik said the Army Chief wasn’t wrong in making such a statement and that the government will definitely consider the proposal.

Army Chief Naravane's remarks came days after Gen Bipin Rawat took over as India's first Chief of Defence Staff with a mandate to bring in convergence in the functioning of the Army, the Navy, and the Indian Air Force and bolster the country's military prowess.

General Naravane said the focus of the training will be on preparing the Army for future wars which will be network-centric and complex. "We are prepared to deal with challenges along the northern border," the Army chief said when asked about China enhancing military infrastructure.

"We are initiating rebalancing of preparedness along the northern border, including moving advanced weapon systems," he said.  He said the focus will be on integration within the Army and among the three services.   

Congress on Naravane’s statement

Congress leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury asked the General to “talk less and work more”. Taking to Twitter, the opposition leader said, @ New Army Chief, Parliament already had adopted unanimous resolution on #POK in 1994, Government is at liberty to take action and may give direction (sic).

“If you are so inclined to take action on POK, I would suggest you to confabulate with CDS, and @PMOIndia.?Talk Less, Work More. Chowdhury’s reaction came a day after the Congress said it does not comment on the institution of the Army.