Despite multiple warnings from the government to stay aware of fake news, the internet continued circulating false claims amid escalated India-Pakistan tensions. In a series of false information, a video was circulated on social media claiming that the Hazira Port in the Indian state of Gujarat had been attacked by Pakistan. The claim is false, as confirmed by the Press Information Bureau (PIB).&nbsp;
"This is an unrelated video confirmed to depict an oil tanker explosion. The video is dated July 7, 2021," PIB said in a post on the social media platform X on May 9. &nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/breaking-pakistans-drone-attack-on-multiple-cities-foiled-by-armed-forces-india-pakistan-war-9050143">BREAKING | Pakistan's Drone Attack On Multiple Cities Foiled By Armed Forces | India-Pakistan War</a>
"Do not share this video," it added.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet publive-iframes-block publive-Twitter-block" contenteditable="false" width="600" height="400" id="PL_blockquote_block-mag9g09z-9iv5taqa-d3dlh53o">
This video is widely circulating on social media with a claim that Hazira Port in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Gujarat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Gujarat</a> has been attacked <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PIBFactCheck?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PIBFactCheck</a> * This is an unrelated video confirmed to depict an oil tanker explosion. The video is dated July 7, 2021. * Do not share this video. Refer the link&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/nlQwgVAj3k">pic.twitter.com/nlQwgVAj3k</a>
&mdash; PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) <a href="https://twitter.com/PIBFactCheck/status/1920633051966578847?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 9, 2025</a></blockquote>
<h2>No drone attack in Punjab's Jalandhar</h2>
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/operation-sindoor-pakistan-violates-ceasefire-for-15th-time-india-foils-paks-drone-attack-on-key-military-bases-along-loc-in-udhampur-samba-jammu-akhnoor-nagrota-and-pathankot-areas-9050130">Indo-pak war: Pakistan violates ceasefire for 15th time; India foils Pak's drone attack on key military bases along LoC</a>
Previously, on May 8, the PIB fact-checked at least eight viral fake claims between 6:30 am to 10 pm.&nbsp;
Another viral video was circulated on the internet claiming a drone attack in Punjab's Jalandhar. The Deputy Commissioner of Jalandhar confirmed that the video had no connection to military action.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indo-pak-war-us-turkey-brazil-norway-world-reacts-to-pakistan-failed-drone-attack-india-operation-sindoor-india-pakistan-war-pahalgam-terror-attack-9049961">Indo-Pak War | US 'not going to get involved'; Turkey 'concerned': World reacts to Pakistan&rsquo;s failed&nbsp;attack&nbsp;on&nbsp;India</a>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet publive-iframes-block publive-Twitter-block" contenteditable="false" width="600" height="400" id="PL_blockquote_block-mag9ge3i-3a0161g0-p025fv80">
Drone Attack in Jalandhar⁉️ This drone strike video from <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jalandhar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Jalandhar</a> is widely circulating on social media<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PIBFactCheck?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PIBFactCheck</a> * This is an unrelated video of a farm fire. The video has the time 7:39 PM, while the drone attack began later. * Do not share this video. See the&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/IRBjq2KOTQ">pic.twitter.com/IRBjq2KOTQ</a>
&mdash; PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) <a href="https://twitter.com/PIBFactCheck/status/1920573308502004108?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 8, 2025</a></blockquote>
<h2>No attack on the Indian Army unit&nbsp;</h2>
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/operation-sindoor-indian-armed-forces-strike-at-terrorist-camps-pahalgam-terror-attack-india-pakistan-9042302">India-Pak War LIVE: Pakistan violates ceasefire along LoC again; 15th night in a row</a>
In another false claim, a video was circulated on the internet claiming that a Pakistani strike had destroyed an Indian Army post operated by a fictitious "20 Raj Battalion". The Indian Army has no such unit. PIB determined the video to be staged and part of a coordinated propaganda campaign.&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet publive-iframes-block publive-Twitter-block" contenteditable="false" width="600" height="400" id="PL_blockquote_block-mag9gmwm-obm9dyfy-hv5dwkfe">
🚨 Staged Video Alert 🚨 Fake video is being circulated by Pakistani handles alleging that an Indian Post was destroyed by the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Pakistani?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Pakistani</a> Army 🔍 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PIBFactCheck?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PIBFactCheck</a>: ✅ The claim is completely false, and the video is staged ❌ There is no unit called &ldquo;20 Raj Battalion" in the&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/959rc9OrTH">pic.twitter.com/959rc9OrTH</a>
&mdash; PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) <a href="https://twitter.com/PIBFactCheck/status/1920563445700890909?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 8, 2025</a></blockquote>
<h2>No attack in Rajouri&nbsp;</h2>
In the series of false claims, rumours about a fidayeen (suicide) attack on an Army brigade in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir circulated with accompanying video footage. PIB said no such incident took place.&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet publive-iframes-block publive-Twitter-block" contenteditable="false" width="600" height="400" id="PL_blockquote_block-mag9gti6-rd94ax7j-1bijk8pq">
🚨 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Fake_news?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Fake_news</a> is circulating about a "fidayeen" attack on an Army brigade in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rajouri?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Rajouri</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jammu?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Jammu</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kashmir?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Kashmir</a>.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PIBFactCheck?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PIBFactCheck</a>: ▶️ No such <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/fidayeen?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#fidayeen</a> or suicide attack has occurred on any army cantt. ⚠️ Do not fall for these false claims intended to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/mislead?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#mislead</a> and cause confusion. <a href="https://t.co/x8Az5tigUO">pic.twitter.com/x8Az5tigUO</a>
&mdash; PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) <a href="https://twitter.com/PIBFactCheck/status/1920533172405592286?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 8, 2025</a></blockquote>
&nbsp;

Trending | India News | Despite multiple warnings from the government to stay aware of fake news, the internet continued circulating false claims amid escalated India-Pakistan tensions.

Despite multiple warnings from the government to stay aware of fake news, the internet continued circulating false claims amid escalated India-Pakistan tensions. In a series of false information, a video was circulated on social media claiming that the Hazira Port in the Indian state of Gujarat had been attacked by Pakistan. The claim is false, as confirmed by the Press Information Bureau (PIB). "This is an unrelated video confirmed to depict an oil tanker explosion. The video is dated July 7, 2021," PIB said in a post on the social media platform X on May 9. Also read: BREAKING | Pakistan's Drone Attack On Multiple Cities Foiled By Armed Forces | India-Pakistan War "Do not share this video," it added. This video is widely circulating on social media with a claim that Hazira Port in #Gujarat has been attacked #PIBFactCheck * This is an unrelated video confirmed to depict an oil tanker explosion. The video is dated July 7, 2021. * Do not share this video. Refer the link… pic.twitter.com/nlQwgVAj3k — PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) May 9, 2025 No drone attack in Punjab's Jalandhar Also read: Indo-pak war: Pakistan violates ceasefire for 15th time; India foils Pak's drone attack on key military bases along LoC Previously, on May 8, the PIB fact-checked at least eight viral fake claims between 6:30 am to 10 pm. Another viral video was circulated on the internet claiming a drone attack in Punjab's Jalandhar. The Deputy Commissioner of Jalandhar confirmed that the video had no connection to military action. Also read: Indo-Pak War | US 'not going to get involved'; Turkey 'concerned': World reacts to Pakistan’s failed attack on India Drone Attack in Jalandhar⁉️ This drone strike video from #Jalandhar is widely circulating on social media#PIBFactCheck * This is an unrelated video of a farm fire. The video has the time 7:39 PM, while the drone attack began later. * Do not share this video. See the… pic.twitter.com/IRBjq2KOTQ — PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) May 8, 2025 No attack on the Indian Army unit Also read: India-Pak War LIVE: Pakistan violates ceasefire along LoC again; 15th night in a row In another false claim, a video was circulated on the internet claiming that a Pakistani strike had destroyed an Indian Army post operated by a fictitious "20 Raj Battalion". The Indian Army has no such unit. PIB determined the video to be staged and part of a coordinated propaganda campaign. 🚨 Staged Video Alert 🚨 Fake video is being circulated by Pakistani handles alleging that an Indian Post was destroyed by the #Pakistani Army 🔍 #PIBFactCheck: ✅ The claim is completely false, and the video is staged ❌ There is no unit called “20 Raj Battalion" in the… pic.twitter.com/959rc9OrTH — PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) May 8, 2025 No attack in Rajouri In the series of false claims, rumours about a fidayeen (suicide) attack on an Army brigade in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir circulated with accompanying video footage. PIB said no such incident took place. 🚨 #Fake_news is circulating about a "fidayeen" attack on an Army brigade in #Rajouri, #Jammu and #Kashmir.#PIBFactCheck: ▶️ No such #fidayeen or suicide attack has occurred on any army cantt. ⚠️ Do not fall for these false claims intended to #mislead and cause confusion. pic.twitter.com/x8Az5tigUO — PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) May 8, 2025

Indo-Pak war: From Gujarat port attack to Rajouri suicide attack, BE AWARE of these false claims on internet | FACT-CHECK

Operation Sindoor: Top 7 deadliest suicide drones in the world right now

Suicide Drones – The New Face of War

Shahed-136 (Iran)

Switchblade 300/600 (United States)

Lancet (Russia)

Harop (Israel)

Warmate (Poland) 

Hero-120 (Israel) – The Next Generation

Nagastra-1 (india)

Suicide drones, also called kamikaze drones or loitering munitions, are changing modern warfare. These drones fly towards a target and explode on impact, making them a favourite weapon in conflicts worldwide.


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52 years ago on December 16, India witnessed its greatest military triumph after it crushed Pakistan. Bangladesh was liberated. What was Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw widely known as Sam Bahadur's Gameplan? How did The 1971 war change the geopolitical landscape of South Asia?

1971 war: Remembering the 1971 Indo-Pak war

Pakistan's outgoing army chief is being trolled for lying about the 1971 Indo-Pak war. He claimed that only 34,000 Pak soldiers fought against lakhs of Indian soldiers. Here's what Molly Gambhir has to say.

Gravitas: Pak's outgoing Army Chief lies about 1971 Indo-Pak war

Ever since their birth as two separate countries in 1947, India and Pakistan have been psychologically obsessed with their assorted mutual conflicts. They have fought four conventional wars, and regularly display their nuclear capability to outpace and undermine each other. From the outside, it resembles nothing so much as a family feud – and psychologically speaking, it’s a very apt analogy.

Across the subcontinent, family and lineage are the most influential institutions in people’s lives, and people tend to transpose the psychological moral structure of their kinship relations into every other institution in the outside world. Respecting your seniors and expecting care and nurture is the norm, and it holds sway in various forms across every sphere of life.

As one famous South Indian proverb puts it, after living together for six months, “they” become “we” and “we” become “they”; neighbours should be treated like family members. It is the violation of this norm that underpins the modern India-Pakistan (or Hindu-Muslim) rivalry.

By the time of partition, the two sides had lived together in one society for more than a millennium. South Asian Hindus and Muslims shared not just a cultural gene pool and biological ties, but common kinship institutions: the extended family group joined by marriage, which is called Khandan in Pakistan and Pariwar in India, or the lineage group with common descendants, known as Biradari in Pakistan and Jati in India.

The rupture between the two can be traced to what happened within India’s predominantly Hindu Congress party, which represented both communities against the British Raj in the years before the partition of India and Pakistan in 1947. As partition neared, the reservations of Muslims were not properly considered, and their demands were thus not met. The Muslim minority was excluded from most decisions, which created in them a fear of “not mattering at all”. The Muslims, suddenly the “junior” family members, felt neglected – and as younger siblings oftentimes do, they became extra-competitive.&nbsp;

Them and us

Viewed this way, the India-Pakistan conflict owes more to historical and psychological “nearness” than to mere competition for resources or territory. And that much is clear in the language they use to talk about each other.

In many parts of India and Pakistan, especially in both Punjabs, the word used for the 1947 Partition of India is “batwara”, which literally means “the distribution of ancestral land” between brothers or patrilineal cousins. The word comes with resonances that the English word “partition” simply doesn’t carry: harmonious family, painful division, cousin rivalry, love-hate competition.&nbsp;

These are the psychological dynamics that play out in the dispute over Kashmir. Both India and Pakistan claim Kashmir as if it were their ancestral property, and people on both sides feel a deep emotional attachment to it. In the subcontinent, to give up a claim to one’s ancestral property brings “dishonour” to one’s family and group, and is considered a weakness.

For Pakistanis, the rivalry against Indians is driven by a deep sense of being “wronged” at the time of partition, the corollary being a “desire” to compete with and trump Indians at any cost. It’s this bitterly competitive urge that drives Pakistan’s leaders, army officers and populace to defy India’s obvious demographic, economic and military supremacy, and to do so with such intensity.

As William Blake said, “it is easier to forgive an enemy than to forgive a friend”. Whoever we are, it seems we can all feel a special kind of enmity for the enemies we most resemble – whether a sibling or a neighbour, we simply cannot accept “them” as “us” despite our obvious similarities. 
&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Neighbours should be treated like family members. It is the violation of this norm that underpins the modern India-Pakistan rivalry.

Ever since their birth as two separate countries in 1947, India and Pakistan have been psychologically obsessed with their assorted mutual conflicts. They have fought four conventional wars, and regularly display their nuclear capability to outpace and undermine each other. From the outside, it resembles nothing so much as a family feud – and psychologically speaking, it’s a very apt analogy. Across the subcontinent, family and lineage are the most influential institutions in people’s lives, and people tend to transpose the psychological moral structure of their kinship relations into every other institution in the outside world. Respecting your seniors and expecting care and nurture is the norm, and it holds sway in various forms across every sphere of life. As one famous South Indian proverb puts it, after living together for six months, “they” become “we” and “we” become “they”; neighbours should be treated like family members. It is the violation of this norm that underpins the modern India-Pakistan (or Hindu-Muslim) rivalry. By the time of partition, the two sides had lived together in one society for more than a millennium. South Asian Hindus and Muslims shared not just a cultural gene pool and biological ties, but common kinship institutions: the extended family group joined by marriage, which is called Khandan in Pakistan and Pariwar in India, or the lineage group with common descendants, known as Biradari in Pakistan and Jati in India. The rupture between the two can be traced to what happened within India’s predominantly Hindu Congress party, which represented both communities against the British Raj in the years before the partition of India and Pakistan in 1947. As partition neared, the reservations of Muslims were not properly considered, and their demands were thus not met. The Muslim minority was excluded from most decisions, which created in them a fear of “not mattering at all”. The Muslims, suddenly the “junior” family members, felt neglected – and as younger siblings oftentimes do, they became extra-competitive. Them and us Viewed this way, the India-Pakistan conflict owes more to historical and psychological “nearness” than to mere competition for resources or territory. And that much is clear in the language they use to talk about each other. In many parts of India and Pakistan, especially in both Punjabs, the word used for the 1947 Partition of India is “batwara”, which literally means “the distribution of ancestral land” between brothers or patrilineal cousins. The word comes with resonances that the English word “partition” simply doesn’t carry: harmonious family, painful division, cousin rivalry, love-hate competition. These are the psychological dynamics that play out in the dispute over Kashmir. Both India and Pakistan claim Kashmir as if it were their ancestral property, and people on both sides feel a deep emotional attachment to it. In the subcontinent, to give up a claim to one’s ancestral property brings “dishonour” to one’s family and group, and is considered a weakness. For Pakistanis, the rivalry against Indians is driven by a deep sense of being “wronged” at the time of partition, the corollary being a “desire” to compete with and trump Indians at any cost. It’s this bitterly competitive urge that drives Pakistan’s leaders, army officers and populace to defy India’s obvious demographic, economic and military supremacy, and to do so with such intensity. As William Blake said, “it is easier to forgive an enemy than to forgive a friend”. Whoever we are, it seems we can all feel a special kind of enmity for the enemies we most resemble – whether a sibling or a neighbour, we simply cannot accept “them” as “us” despite our obvious similarities. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Indo-Pak war is psychological, not territorial

Israeli fingerpints on spice smart bombs, Balakot, Kargil & 71' Indo-Pak war

India vs Pakistan: A history of conflict

The Pakistan Army on Saturday said it is "ready for war" but chooses to walk the path of peace in the interest of its people, comments which came in response to Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat's remark that "stern action" is needed to "avenge" the brutal killing of Indian soldiers.

In an interview to Dunya TV, Pakistan Army spokesperson Asif Ghafoor said the country has a long-standing record of fighting terrorism and "we know the price for peace", The Dawn reported.

Earlier in the day, commenting on the recent brutal killing of a BSF jawan and three policemen in Jammu and Kashmir, General Rawat in Jaipur said stern action is needed to avenge the barbarism by terrorists and Pakistan Army against Indian soldiers.

"We need to take stern action to avenge the kind of barbarism that terrorists and the Pakistan Army have been carrying against our soldiers. It is time to give it back to them in the same coin but not by resorting to similar kind of barbarism. I think the other side must also feel the same pain," he said at a press conference here.

Rawat insisted that action against Pakistan was needed but not in a barbaric manner.

Refuting India's claim of Pakistani soldiers killing the BSF jawan, Ghafoor said, "We have struggled to achieve peace in the last two decades. We can never do anything to disgrace any soldier."&nbsp;

"They (India) have in the past as well laid the blame on us for mutilating the body of a fallen soldier. We are a professional army. We never engage in such acts," he added.&nbsp;

"We (Pakistan Army) are ready for war but choose to walk the path of peace in the interest of the people of Pakistan, the neighbours and the region," the spokesperson said.&nbsp;

The war of words between the armed forces of the two countries came a day after India called off the foreign minister-level talks with Pakistan in New York this month on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.&nbsp;

General Rawat also said the Indian Army had carried out successful operations against the Pakistan Army whenever they did something against India along the border.

"Pakistan has suffered many casualties and we have been able to take on their defence system to a large extent, but we never resorted to barbarism. They requested for a ceasefire in May and we agreed, but if they continue to do this, we will need to take other action," he said.

The Pakistan Army on Saturday said it is "ready for war" but chooses to walk the path of peace in the interest of its people, comments which came in response to Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat's remark that "stern action" is needed to "avenge" the brutal killing of Indian soldiers.

The Pakistan Army on Saturday said it is "ready for war" but chooses to walk the path of peace in the interest of its people, comments which came in response to Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat's remark that "stern action" is needed to "avenge" the brutal killing of Indian soldiers. In an interview to Dunya TV, Pakistan Army spokesperson Asif Ghafoor said the country has a long-standing record of fighting terrorism and "we know the price for peace", The Dawn reported. Earlier in the day, commenting on the recent brutal killing of a BSF jawan and three policemen in Jammu and Kashmir, General Rawat in Jaipur said stern action is needed to avenge the barbarism by terrorists and Pakistan Army against Indian soldiers. "We need to take stern action to avenge the kind of barbarism that terrorists and the Pakistan Army have been carrying against our soldiers. It is time to give it back to them in the same coin but not by resorting to similar kind of barbarism. I think the other side must also feel the same pain," he said at a press conference here. Rawat insisted that action against Pakistan was needed but not in a barbaric manner. Refuting India's claim of Pakistani soldiers killing the BSF jawan, Ghafoor said, "We have struggled to achieve peace in the last two decades. We can never do anything to disgrace any soldier." "They (India) have in the past as well laid the blame on us for mutilating the body of a fallen soldier. We are a professional army. We never engage in such acts," he added. "We (Pakistan Army) are ready for war but choose to walk the path of peace in the interest of the people of Pakistan, the neighbours and the region," the spokesperson said. The war of words between the armed forces of the two countries came a day after India called off the foreign minister-level talks with Pakistan in New York this month on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. General Rawat also said the Indian Army had carried out successful operations against the Pakistan Army whenever they did something against India along the border. "Pakistan has suffered many casualties and we have been able to take on their defence system to a large extent, but we never resorted to barbarism. They requested for a ceasefire in May and we agreed, but if they continue to do this, we will need to take other action," he said.

'Ready for war' but choose to walk path of peace: Pakistan Army

Finance minister Arun Jaitley presented the much-anticipated Union Budget 2018 on February 1st.&nbsp;&nbsp;

One of the major takeaways from his speech was his high-profile plan to create the &ldquo;world&#39;s largest health insurance programme&rdquo;. The Budget allocated maximum resources towards the agriculture and rural sector in India.&nbsp;

This is also being seen as a test for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to maintain fiscal discipline without stifling economic growth ahead of general elections next year.&nbsp;

But, another key pointer in the finance minister&rsquo;s speech was the allocation towards the defence sector.&nbsp;

An outlay of Rs 2.95 lakh crore was set aside for the defence budget for the next fiscal which is an increase of 7.81% over last year&#39;s Rs 2.74 lakh crore.&nbsp;

With the ever-increasing number of ceasefire violations along the LoC, the capital outlay for the three defence services &ndash; Army, Navy &amp; Air Force -&nbsp; for purchase of new weapons, aircraft, warships and other military hardware has been pegged at Rs 99,947 crore making the total amount allotted towards defence at of Rs 2,95,511 crore from Rs 2,74,114 crore last year.&nbsp;

However, the Indian Air Force capital budget was 46% lower than its requirements, the Indian Army&rsquo;s was 41% and the Indian Navy&rsquo;s was 32%, reports said.&nbsp;

A measly revision in the defence sector, also considering the present situation with Pakistan and China, is a crushing reminder of the need for developing the military. Also, the defence outlay works out to just about 1.58% of the projected GDP for 2018-19 -&nbsp; the lowest figure since the 1962 war with China.&nbsp;

India is the fifth largest military spender in the world and also the largest importer of arms. About 13% of the world&#39;s total imports between 2012-2016 were by India, a report by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute stated.

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India fifth-largest military spender. Source: SIPRI (Twitter)
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&nbsp;

A throwback to 1961 - the year before the India-China war reveals India&rsquo;s defence expenditure was Rs 266.72 crores, however, in 1962 &ndash; the year of war - the defence services budget was only increased by Rs 1.7 crore.&nbsp;

The year after the Sino-India war, the then Finance Minister Morarji R Desai decided to allocate a whopping amount of Rs 708.51 crore in defence out of the total revenue expenditure of Rs 1852.40 crores.&nbsp;

Low spending on defence has often been cited as the main reason for India&#39;s lack of defence preparedness, leading to its defeat against China in 1962.&nbsp;

Cut to 1964, the year before Indo-Pakistan war, of the total revenue expenditure of Rs 2,041 crores, an amount of Rs 718 crores was allocated for the defence services.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In 1965, the year of the war, the increase in revenue was Rs 29 crores from 1964 figure, this was the year when the National Defence Remittance Scheme was also introduced.&nbsp;&nbsp;

&quot;Honourable Members will also appreciate that while it has always been our policy to restrict expenditure on defence to the maximum extent possible so as to conserve all possible sources for securing the well-being of our people, we cannot afford to take any chances with the security of the nation, devoted though we are to the cause of peace&quot; the FM Sachindra Chaudhuri was quoted saying in his speech in 1966.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In 1970, the military budget stood at 2.9% of the total GDP which drastically rose to 3.417% in 1971, the year of India-Pakistan war.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In the preceding year, the military budget was 3.4% (a miniscule revision). In 1974 though, the budget drastically dropped to 2.995% of the total GDP.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

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Military expenditure (% of GDP). Source: World Bank (Others)
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See a pattern?&nbsp;&nbsp;

The usual thinking in the government is that only when there is a war the defence budget should be increased. Otherwise, no focus is laid in this sector, it is not given much priority.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Moreover, since the last three years, there has actually been a decline in budget allocation for capital investments against requirements, or &ldquo;projections&rdquo; in the official sense, a factor that could delay procurement and modernization of the armed forces, according to a report by the Parliamentary Standing Committee On Defence 2017-18.&nbsp;&nbsp;

&quot;Funds allocated (each year) under the budget estimate have been reduced at the revised estimate stage by the ministry of finance, broadly on the pretext of trend of expenditure at that point of time,&quot; the defence ministry said in its response to questions by the Parliamentary committee.&nbsp;

&quot;Though there has been under-utilisation of capital budget with regards to budget estimate (except in 2016-17), there has been either excess expenditure or more than 99 percent utilisation when compared to final grant,&quot; it said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

This even as India and China were close to a faceoff in Doklam. Moreover, deaths due to terrorist violence increased 30 per cent in Jammu &amp; Kashmir &mdash; from 267 in 2016 to 347 in 2017 (December).&nbsp;&nbsp;

With just a 7.81% increase in the defence budget, the modernisation of the services cannot be supported. It also means that the policy and acquisition decisions which have been taken will not be executed.
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Source: SIPRI (Twitter)
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The major worry for the army during a war would be a shortage of ammunition. The army faces 40% shortage of ammunition &mdash; 61 of 152 types of ammunition was in critical level &mdash; to fight a 10-day long war, according to a CAG report.&nbsp;&nbsp;

&ldquo;Transformation in defence production requires higher allocation. If the government is keen on promoting &lsquo;Make in India&rsquo; in defence production then there has to be a proper infrastructure creation for that and that requires huge money. When you are operating under a low budget then all your mega acquisition plans become severely constrained,&rdquo; said Vikram Mahajan, Director (Defence and Aerospace), US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF).
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Source: ChinaPower (Others)
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Experts added that what ultimately needs to be done is to ensure that India&#39;s military can face a high-tech Chinese Army, especially when China&#39;s 2017 defence budget stands at $152 billion (Rs 9.75 lakh crore).&nbsp;&nbsp;

This would naturally call for stricter action towards defence expenditure through the years but historical facts and the timelines have also proven that there has not been enough inclination towards India&rsquo;s defense needs.&nbsp;
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An outlay of Rs 2.95 lakh crore was set aside for the defence budget for the next fiscal which is an increase of 7.81% over last year's Rs 2.74 lakh crore

Finance minister Arun Jaitley presented the much-anticipated Union Budget 2018 on February 1st. One of the major takeaways from his speech was his high-profile plan to create the “world's largest health insurance programme”. The Budget allocated maximum resources towards the agriculture and rural sector in India. This is also being seen as a test for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to maintain fiscal discipline without stifling economic growth ahead of general elections next year. But, another key pointer in the finance minister’s speech was the allocation towards the defence sector. An outlay of Rs 2.95 lakh crore was set aside for the defence budget for the next fiscal which is an increase of 7.81% over last year's Rs 2.74 lakh crore. With the ever-increasing number of ceasefire violations along the LoC, the capital outlay for the three defence services – Army, Navy & Air Force - for purchase of new weapons, aircraft, warships and other military hardware has been pegged at Rs 99,947 crore making the total amount allotted towards defence at of Rs 2,95,511 crore from Rs 2,74,114 crore last year. However, the Indian Air Force capital budget was 46% lower than its requirements, the Indian Army’s was 41% and the Indian Navy’s was 32%, reports said. A measly revision in the defence sector, also considering the present situation with Pakistan and China, is a crushing reminder of the need for developing the military. Also, the defence outlay works out to just about 1.58% of the projected GDP for 2018-19 - the lowest figure since the 1962 war with China. India is the fifth largest military spender in the world and also the largest importer of arms. About 13% of the world's total imports between 2012-2016 were by India, a report by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute stated. India fifth-largest military spender. Source: SIPRI (Twitter) × A throwback to 1961 - the year before the India-China war reveals India’s defence expenditure was Rs 266.72 crores, however, in 1962 – the year of war - the defence services budget was only increased by Rs 1.7 crore. The year after the Sino-India war, the then Finance Minister Morarji R Desai decided to allocate a whopping amount of Rs 708.51 crore in defence out of the total revenue expenditure of Rs 1852.40 crores. Low spending on defence has often been cited as the main reason for India's lack of defence preparedness, leading to its defeat against China in 1962. Cut to 1964, the year before Indo-Pakistan war, of the total revenue expenditure of Rs 2,041 crores, an amount of Rs 718 crores was allocated for the defence services. In 1965, the year of the war, the increase in revenue was Rs 29 crores from 1964 figure, this was the year when the National Defence Remittance Scheme was also introduced. "Honourable Members will also appreciate that while it has always been our policy to restrict expenditure on defence to the maximum extent possible so as to conserve all possible sources for securing the well-being of our people, we cannot afford to take any chances with the security of the nation, devoted though we are to the cause of peace" the FM Sachindra Chaudhuri was quoted saying in his speech in 1966. In 1970, the military budget stood at 2.9% of the total GDP which drastically rose to 3.417% in 1971, the year of India-Pakistan war. In the preceding year, the military budget was 3.4% (a miniscule revision). In 1974 though, the budget drastically dropped to 2.995% of the total GDP. Military expenditure (% of GDP). Source: World Bank (Others) × See a pattern? The usual thinking in the government is that only when there is a war the defence budget should be increased. Otherwise, no focus is laid in this sector, it is not given much priority. Moreover, since the last three years, there has actually been a decline in budget allocation for capital investments against requirements, or “projections” in the official sense, a factor that could delay procurement and modernization of the armed forces, according to a report by the Parliamentary Standing Committee On Defence 2017-18. "Funds allocated (each year) under the budget estimate have been reduced at the revised estimate stage by the ministry of finance, broadly on the pretext of trend of expenditure at that point of time," the defence ministry said in its response to questions by the Parliamentary committee. "Though there has been under-utilisation of capital budget with regards to budget estimate (except in 2016-17), there has been either excess expenditure or more than 99 percent utilisation when compared to final grant," it said. This even as India and China were close to a faceoff in Doklam. Moreover, deaths due to terrorist violence increased 30 per cent in Jammu & Kashmir — from 267 in 2016 to 347 in 2017 (December). With just a 7.81% increase in the defence budget, the modernisation of the services cannot be supported. It also means that the policy and acquisition decisions which have been taken will not be executed. Source: SIPRI (Twitter) × The major worry for the army during a war would be a shortage of ammunition. The army faces 40% shortage of ammunition — 61 of 152 types of ammunition was in critical level — to fight a 10-day long war, according to a CAG report. “Transformation in defence production requires higher allocation. If the government is keen on promoting ‘Make in India’ in defence production then there has to be a proper infrastructure creation for that and that requires huge money. When you are operating under a low budget then all your mega acquisition plans become severely constrained,” said Vikram Mahajan, Director (Defence and Aerospace), US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF). Source: ChinaPower (Others) × Experts added that what ultimately needs to be done is to ensure that India's military can face a high-tech Chinese Army, especially when China's 2017 defence budget stands at $152 billion (Rs 9.75 lakh crore). This would naturally call for stricter action towards defence expenditure through the years but historical facts and the timelines have also proven that there has not been enough inclination towards India’s defense needs.

Jaitley's defence outlay in Union Budget is lowest since India-China 1962 war

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