NEW DELHI: The latest annual report of the Ministry of Defence has tempered its criticism of Pakistan as a security concern and instead focussed on the need to keep an eye on "unsavoury aspects" abroad such as the instability in Iraq, nuclear stalemate on the Korean Peninsula and safeguarding the transportation of oil to India.

"The Ministry of Defence has contributed to India's overall reaction to these growing challenges by keeping its armed forces at the highest levels of defence preparedness and the ability to react with swift counter measures," it said.

On Pakistan, it said India's peace effort has maintained strategic stability on the left flank but Nepal and Bangladesh continue to cause concern, mainly in the border regions with both countries. It noted the peace initiatives, post-earthquake cooperation between both countries, agreements on pre-notification of missile tests, "frank and constructive discussions" on Sachem, the communication links between the two Coast Guards and the holding of the ceasefire for over two years.

However, India's peace and tranquillity effort has "failed to significantly" alter the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. Though infiltration efforts have decreased, such attempts continue and the infrastructure in Pakistan has not been dismantled. "The level of violence in J&K, which is resonating in other parts of the country, such as the October-end blasts in Delhi, continue to be a matter of utmost concern."

These observations contrast with the annual report of three years ago which said Pakistan was "the single greatest threat to peace and stability" due to a combination of terrorism nurtured by Pakistan for strategic objectives and the "ingrained adventurism" of its military. "Virtually every terrorist act anywhere in the world today has a Pakistani fingerprint somewhere. It is the root and epicentre of international terrorism in the region and beyond," said the annual report of 2002-03.

The report for 2005-06 said the Defence Ministry is preparing for a broader role by striking defence partnerships with other countries that are leading to "greater joint partnerships for a globally coordinated initiative to fight against the menace of terrorism, proliferation, trafficking, piracy and the nefarious activities of non-state actors." India's commitments to United Nations-led operations remain "unwavering'' and it has expanded its role by agreeing to contributing troops towards U.N. operations in the Middle-East (deploying troops in Golan Heights besides along standing presence on the Israel-Lebanon border).

On China, while positive trends are encouraging, the two sides need to proactively address all outstanding issues including the boundary question through peaceful means. India continues to monitor China's military modernisation as also the development of infrastructure in the India-China border areas.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail