Army Chief Dispels “Myth” of Defence Budget’s “Burden on State”

Insisting that almost 35 percent of the defence budget goes in the nation-building process Army Chief General Bipin Rawat sought to dispel myths surrounding defence expenditure.

There is a belief that the defence expenditure is actually a burden on the state. They believe that whatever put in defence it is something that comes without any returns. I want to dispel that myth.

General Rawat

Speaking at a think tank on Tuesday, General Rawat also talked about China's military might and said the country understood the importance of ramping up defence expenditure in sync with its economic prowess.

Defence Expenditure Being Utilised Only for Maintaining Military?

There is a belief that the defence expenditure is a burden on the State. Whatever goes into defence does not give returns. I want to dispel these myths. Almost 35 percent of our defence budget goes into nation building when we are developing infrastructure on the border. The roads are being taken up to the borders. Habitat is being built. 

Bipin Rawat, Chief of Army Staff

Bipin Rawat said that the Indian Army is helping the border region economy grow by providing them business in direct and indirect ways. He added that the army is building health and education infrastructure in such regions.

If the military pulls out of these areas, that part of the economy will suffer. The army acts as a support system to the border areas, he added.

We are connecting people living in these areas with mainland India. Role of Indian Army is not just defending our borders. If the economy of the country needs to grow India’s defence has an important role to play

Bipin Rawat, Chief of Army Staff

Rawat also said how the world is looking upto India to counter China’s rise.

Focus of international community has shifted to India-Pacific region.Countries in the Asia-Pacific region have started looking up to India to see if we can balance the rise of China. Not just the economy, but the military might of China has also grown in the past few years. That’s why they stand strong in international world challenging the might of the USA which used to be the sole security provider.

Bipin Rawat, Chief of Army Staff

Bipin Rawat believes that in order to attract investments from abroad, India needs to make sure that the country’s security is beefed up.