Indian Defence Minister A K Antony said on Saturday Kashmir situation was a “matter of concern” for India.
Talking to newsmen at the Coast Guard Headquarters in Kochi in Kerala state, Antony said the Kashmir situation was a “matter of concern”, though the scenario has “not worsened” compared to last year. To a question, he said India had taken all precautionary measures to foil any attempt of infiltration on the Line of Control.
When asked about reaction from Pakistan over recent statements of Army Chief Deepak Kapoor on Pakistan and about India’s military doctrine, he said, “I don’t know why there is this over-reaction. India is not a war-mongering country.”
“In spite of our differences with some of the neighbouring countries, we are trying to improve our relations with them. We have no extra-territorial ambition but our concern is to protect the country’s territorial integrity,” he said.
He said plans are being implemented to strengthen the Navy, Army and Air Force. Twenty fast patrol vessels, 41 interceptor boats, 12 coastal surveillance aircraft and 7 offshore patrol vehicles are being purchased to protect coastal areas, he said.
He said the government had recently approved to start four air enclaves for the Coast Guard at Kochi, New Mangalore, Goa and Visakhapatnam.
He said installation of a chain of 46 Static Radars across nine coastal stations was underway.
To a question, he alleged that terrorist groups are “still active” in Pakistan. “This is a matter of concern because in spite of repeated requests from the Indian Government, almost all terrorist outfits operating from across the border are still active and the Government of Pakistan is not taking much steps”, he alleged.
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