Jaitley hints at increasing defence budget

Washington, Oct 7: In the wake of recent heightened tension between India and Pakistan, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has hinted at increasing the defence budget.

"Defence will always be a top priority when expenditure is concerned," Jaitley told NDTV in an interview on Friday.

"Whatever is required for our armed forces, will be provided for. It is the top priority for the government," he added.

There has been heightened tension with Pakistan since the September 18 terror attack on an Indian Army camp at Uri in Jammu and Kashmir -- in which 19 soldiers were killed -- and the September 29 surgical strikes by the Indian army on terror launch pads across the Line of Control (LoC).

IANS