RSS justifies need for foreign direct investment in defence sector

NAGPUR: The RSS today justified the need for 100 per cent Foreign Direct Investment in the defence sector, saying that the country must not depend on imports.

"Why India should depend on importing defence equipment, right from the fighter aircraft to submarines when we can manufacture (them) in the country," RSS joint general secretary Krishna Gopal said here, when asked his comment on the reported move to raise FDI limit in the defence sector from the present 26 per cent to 100 per cent was afoot.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of RSS's annual third year training camp at Reshimbagh, Gopal said FDI will help accelerate the defence production in the country.

On the Article 370 of the Constitution, he said it was meant to be a temporary provision, which can be removed. Even Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar had opposed the Article 370, Gopal claimed.

There should be a debate on the issue, he said.