Antony voices ‘serious’ concern over China-Pak military ties

India has to remain vigilant at all times, A K Antony, the defence minister said here.

‘We have to carry out continuous appraisal of Chinese military capabilities and shape our responses accordingly. At the same time, we need to be vigilant at all times’, Antony said in his address to the Founders’ Day of the Institute of Defence Studies And Analysis (IDSA), a four and half decade old think-tank, here, though in the same breath he brought up the military ties between Pakistan and China and the thriving terror infrastructure in Pakistan as a matter of ‘serious’ concern.

He hoped that China would reciprocate India’s trust-building initiatives. He asked Pakistan to demonstrate willingness to take speedy action against terrorists and international criminals.

Excerpts from Antony Speak:

We have been making sincere and continuous efforts to resolve long outstanding issues in our region. We have always strived for peaceful relations with all our neighbours. Even with a vibrant democracy and a prospering economy, we cannot ignore the security calculus.

Our Prime Minister’s willingness to resume the dialogue with Pakistan must be seen in this context. Pakistan must put an end to terror activities emanating from its soil. However, the terror infrastructure on the ground remains intact - and is actually thriving. Pakistan is yet to demonstrate any will to take speedy action against terrorists and international criminals. We need to closely monitor the developments in Pakistan.

We are hopeful that China will reciprocate the initiatives aimed at mutual trust-building and understanding. The increasing nexus between China and Pakistan in military sphere remains an area of serious concern. We have to carry out continuous appraisals of Chinese military capabilities and shape our responses accordingly. At the same time, we need to be vigilant at all times.

We have taken several steps for enhancing the capacity-building of our Armed Forces to meet new and varied challenges. However, we will remain steadfast in our pursuit of regional and global peace.

-Asian Tribune-