The former Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, today, has dismissed Pakistan, as an empty vessel making noise, and further stated that the neighboring country is up to something or the other, to keep themselves engaged.

His comments come against the backdrop of the death sentence, given to the former Indian Navy Officer, Kulbhushan Jadhav, by a Pakistani Military Court.

Parrikar, during an interview to Doordarshan News, said “There is a proverb in Konkani, and Hindi as well, which means empty vessels make the most noise. We should not take much note of what they (Pakistan) say.”

“The rival country, needs some or other reason to remain engaged. It is playing a dangerous game. It should understand that if India starts retaliating, then Pakistan does not have the power to fight back, whatever they may project themselves as,” said the Goa CM, Parrikar.

“But we (India) want peace. We do not want provocation. So they, should send Jadhav back,” Parrikar said. “First of all, they have abducted him. He was not in Pakistan. He was in Iran. Iran has said that the Taliban kidnapped him and took him to Pakistan. Pakistan has a habit of doing something or the other,” Parrikar said.

External Affairs Minister, Sushma Swaraj has given an apt reply. “we will not keep quiet, if Pakistan executes Jadhav. The country will do what is required. We can take care of Pakistan if it tries to do anything ill-advised,” he said. “They were talking of nuclear power usage, which they have stopped after surgical strikes. I hope they have understood that they cannot blackmail us as India has the power to counter them,” he added.

Parrikar, said India achieved many things under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi. Referring to relations with neighboring countries like Pakistan and China, Parrikar said, “There was soft diplomacy and also there was use of hard power. This has happened for the first time.” He further said, that during his tenure, several measures were taken to increase the military strength of the country.

“I can say that we were able to bring potency to the potential of the Armed forces. If you see the Comptroller and Auditor General report of 2013, they have pointed out that around 121 type of ammunition had stock of less than ten days. Now I can say that number has been reduced to 20-22. In next one or two years, it will be almost zero,” he said.

“Finally, Army works on ammunition. If anyone asks me what was the gap in capability on the parameter of 100 and how much have you reduced it, I can say I have reduced it up to 75-80,” he said. “Some things have already been acquired and some are ordered and will be arriving in next one year,” Parrikar said.

He further stated that, “I transferred all my revenue power to the Armed forces and asked them to bridge the gap in building the capability. When I left, the Armed forces had completed deals worth Rs 25,000-30,000 crore that too in 8% less cost. We saved Rs 22,000 crore through that. This is because we took quick decisions.”

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