They saw it at a distance. At the appearance of the plane on the horizon they dived. But our people saw it. Again, after ten days or so, this submarine was sighted. This is the information that we have. We are making assessment as to what type of submarine it can be, whose submarine it can be, and so on. I do not think it can he a Chinese submarine. Why I am mentioning this thing is that submarines are making their appearance in our Indian waters. So we cannot be gullible about this matter, about this problem of naval development. I may tell you that I realised the importance of this problem and, therefore, in all the three visits to different :countries last year USA, United Kingdom and USSR- I took up this problem of naval supplies.
But, Sir, the facts as they are we must accept them and find some other way about it. I quite agree that we should not depend upon any particular country and give it a monopoly of supplies to us. Theoretically I accept this proposition. But there are certain realities also that you and I will have to accept. For example, the USA has got a navy which is not built taking into consideration the requirements of a country like India. They have their own strategic needs for which they have built their own navy. So have the Soviet Russia and the United Kingdom built their navies. Naturally, therefore, we will have to take into account these realities and then go ahead on this question.
The most important thing that has happened in the matter of naval development is the agreement about frigates. I know it is a time-consuming affair and it will take some time. But there is no other way of doing it. That is the speed at which frigates could be built and delivered: We have also an assurance of technical co-operation for building sub-marines from the United Kingdom. Well, it depends upon whether we get the necessary financial arrangements or not. But one good thing has certainly emerged out of that. They are going to give us a submarine, two months a year, for training our people. That is also an important thing What steps will have to be taken, we will consult them. I can assure the House that the Defence Ministry, myself and the Government are quite aware of this problem of naval development, but we must take into account certain facts of life as they are and make a concerted and energetic effort to gradually develop the navy as well.
