‘Foolish to Betray Defence Secrets’: Chidambaram on Mission Shakti

P Chidambaram said that only a “foolish government would betray a defence secret” like Mission Shakti.

File image of Former Finance Minister P Chidambaram.

(Photo: Reuters)

Former finance minister and senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Saturday, 30 March, slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government for politicising Mission Shakti, that showcased India’s anti-satellite (A-SAT) missile technology.

In a tweet, he also questioned the intentions behind the move.

“The capability to shoot down a satellite has existed for many years. A wise government will keep the capability secret,” he said.

Chidambaram also said that only a “foolish government would betray a defence secret” like this.

Modi, in an address to the nation on Wednesday, 27 March, had announced India’s successful testing of Anti-Satellite (A-SAT) weaponry.

Mission Shakti, as the operation is known, was marked successful after it destroyed a test satellite 300 kilometers in space.

The timing of the announcement, however, had sparked a political slug-fest as the Opposition dubbed the move as a clear violation of the Model Code of Conduct.

The Election Commission, meanwhile, has said that Modi's address did not violate the model code of conduct.

Chidambaram, however, disagrees. He said that the move was clearly intended to “boost the sagging fortunes” of the ruling party.

(With inputs from PTI)