By Devirupa Mitra
New Delhi: Arguing that maintenance costs have gone up, India
has asked its best friend in South East Asia to cough up more money in exchange
for using its military bases for the training of the Singapore Royal Air Force.
The two countries are racing against time to complete
negotiations for renewing the lease agreement with Singapore for long-term
basis, with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong scheduled to arrive in
India in the second week of July.
"We have asked for more money due to the current
economic situation... We hope to reach an agreement with the Singaporeans
soon," said a senior government official.
India has had a long tradition of defence relations
with Singapore, which has given high priority to its military preparedness
following its bitter split from Malaysia in 1965.
But, in October 2007, India for the first time allowed a
foreign country to station its foreign troops and defence facilities on a
long-term basis – which was a demonstration of India’s reliance on Singapore as
an anchor for its Look East policy.
The bilateral agreement for the conduct of joint military
training and exercises in India between IAF and Republic of Singapore Air Force
(RSAF) was signed in Delhi, as part of the annual Defence Policy Dialogue.
Incidentally, Singapore and India have also signed a similar
bilateral agreement for army training, but it will come up for renewal next
year.
For Singapore, which has an area of just 700 square
kilometer, overseas training for its fighter pilots primarily flying F-16
fighter jets is necessary, in the absence of any suitable open tracts of land
and airspace.
“It has been a win-win situation for both sides. We get
upgraded facilities, while they get space to conduct their exercises,” said the
senior official.
In the last five years, Singapore has set up its own
facilities at Kalaikonda air base in West Bengal, including residential block
and stores.
“Singapore has similar agreement with other countries like
United States and Australia, but the training comes here at a comparatively
cost effective ate,” said the official, adding that they expected the
escalation of price to be easily afforded by the prosperous city-state.
Singapore has been the fourth highest defence spender in the
world on per capita terms, after US, Israel and Kuwait.
According to the Stockholm International Peace Research
Institute (SIPRI) released Monday, it is also the fifth largest importer of
arms for the last five years. This year, Singapore had allotted nearly 24 percent
of its annual budget towards defence, amounting to $9.6 billion.
For India, Singapore has been its most vocal supporter in
the regional security architecture. It is also India’s largest trading partner
in ASEAN.
india should have its retiring personnel
ReplyDeleteinducted in large nos in the armed forces of singapore .australia malaysia gulf countries
so that the poorly paid indians can earn dollars and the country has defence diplomats and good intellegence wherever required. it will be a win win situation for both sides.half amillion
solders sailors airmen and officers working world wide will spread the indian message and goodwill like we see in anciant temples of angkor vat and in laos and combodia.