India to train defence personnel of 38 countries: Parrikar

Defence Minister says country is also mulling supplying defence material through export or line of credit to these countries

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today said India was planning to export defence materials and training military personnel of at least 38 countries.

"At least 38 countries are sending their defence personnel for training in India. We are encouraging them. We are giving them more slots. We are also considering to supply some sort of defence materials through export or through line of credit to the countries so that they can depend on India for their defence," Parrikar told reporters at the sideline of an international conference here.

Parrikar, however, said he would not be able to reveal names of the countries which are sending their personnel for training due to security reasons.

Quoting a shloka from Sanskrit scripture, Parrikar said, "A goat is sacrificed in the altar and no one dares to kill a lion. We will build our position of strength."

However, Parrikar said, India does not want to dominate any other country but increase its own strength through partnership and friendship.

Replying to a question, the Defence Minister said, "We are organisisng a naval exercise in Vishakhapatanam where international fleet will participate... It will be a spectacular show of basic exercise of infrastracture."

Asked whether China is also participating in the exercise, Parrikar said, "We are yet to send invitation. It's an open matter. Once the list is prepared, you can know."

On Blue Navy, Parrikar said the concept of Blue Navy will come to practice when India posts 30/40 ships at about 300/400 nautical miles from the coast.

Parrikar said, "The defence ministry has already finalised the OROP (One Rank One Pension) scheme. However, certain financial and administrative procedures will be followed. The first positive thing is that it has been prepared properly. It involves an amount of about Rs 8,000 crore."

About the proposal from Odisha government on a Kalinga regiment, he said, "You cannot raise a regiment by caste or region... I would ensure that defence presence is felt more in Odisha so that you can get more people trained, get more people in the army and employment," he said.