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| India-Pakistan |
| Indian DM calls for defence boost |
| 2007-11-11 |
| NEW DELHI — India needs to develop stronger defence capabilities to safeguard its interests as a prominent regional player, Defence Minister A.K. Antony said here yesterday. "With our growing stature, the need of the hour is to develop stronger defence capabilities to safeguard our interests," he said while speaking at the 42nd foundation day celebrations of the think-tank Institute of Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA). "As a prominent regional player, we will be called upon to play an increasingly significant role in ensuring peace and stability in our immediate as well as extended neighbourhood and in the Asian region," he said. "We have to ensure that our security apparatus is well-equipped to deal with various challenges effectively," Antony added. Noting that the security forces faced "several" challenges, the minister said: "Though traditional threats do exist, there are little chances of a conventional war breaking out. "However, there may be scattered incidents of localised skirmishes, border incursions, civil strife, maritime or other potential threats," Antony added. Besides traditional threats, there were also the unconventional threats, he said. "Terrorism with its global networks, financing and support from various quarters is one such challenge. “Increasingly, terrorism is being outsourced to local criminals and miscreants to hide the real source of its origin. Insurgents supported by external forces, propagating extremist ideologies result in irregular, but long-drawn out warfare," the minister said. With technology "changing at an unbelievable speed", Antony said: "The challenge, therefore, to keep pace with these technological changes is more pronounced than ever before. "The choice before us is clear — to either let the events shape us, or enhance our ability to shape the events. |
| Posted by:Steve White |