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The post cold war, post 9/11 concerns regarding the challenges posed by terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction remained central to the International Security agenda and at the bottom of India’s primary and most general security concerns. This has been stated in the Annual Report of the Ministry of Defence for the year 2004-05 which was released here today. According to the report, India’s response to these multiple threats and challenges has always been restrained, measured and moderate, consistent with its peaceful outlook and reputation as a peace-loving country. However, the report states that diplomacy remains India’s chosen means of dealing with these challenges, but effective diplomacy has to be backed by credible military power.
Referring to India’s neighbours the report says that despite the operation against the Al-Qaeda and Taliban elements on the Pak-Afghan border, the principal threats to peace and stability in the region remains the combination of fundamentalism and terrorism nurtured in Madarssas and training camps in the area and the danger of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and access to them by fundamentalists and terrorists. The report goes on to add that while the year ended on a hopeful note on India Pakistan relations, it could not be said that there was an end to cross-border terrorism in J&K. While there was some decline in the level of infiltration, this was more on account of measures on the part of the Indian Armed Forces than any discernible change of heart or action by Pakistani authorities. There was no evidence of any significant Pakistani effort to dismantle the infrastructure of terrorism such as communications, launching pads and training camps on its eastern borders with India, comparable to its western borders with Afghanistan. The report also refers to various steps taken during the year to step up people to people contacts between the two countries. Agreement was reached during External Affairs Minister’s visit to Pakistan in February this year to start bus service between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad (which commenced on 7th of last month) and between Amritsar and Lahore including to religious places such as Nankana Sahib.
About India’s relation with China the report says that both the countries continue to maintain peace and tranquility in their border areas and stepped up efforts to address differences on the boundary questions through discussions. However, the report has observed that China’s close defence relationship with and military assistance to Pakistan continued. The report goes on to add that India will continue to monitor development of military infrastructure by China in the border areas and its military modernization including, the maritime sector.
As regards the situation in Afghanistan, which have a direct bearing on peace and security in the region, the Report says that threats posed by remnants of Taliban and other fundamentalists groups continue to pose a challenge to the Afghan Government and is a cause of concern. Commenting on Bangladesh, the report says that it has been insensitive and unresponsive to India’s concerns regarding the presence and activities of Indian insurgent groups from the North East and the ISI on Bangladesh soil, large-scale illegal immigration and the criminalization of the border. Referring to the recent developments in Nepal, the Report says that the Maoist insurgency can be addressed effectively only through a national consensus between the constitutional forces. India is of the view that there can be no purely military solution to the Maoist insurgency. The Report has expressed serious concern over the link of Maoist insurgents and left extremist outfits in parts of India and the possible expansion of their influence. About the situation in Sri Lanka, the report says that India remains committed to the unity, integrity and sovereignty of Sri Lanka and to a comprehensive negotiated settlement acceptable to all communities of the island nation and reflecting the pluralistic nature of Sri Lankan society within the framework of the united Sri Lanka.
The report says, India’s strategic and security interests require a mix of land-based, maritime and air capabilities and a minimum credible deterrent to thwart the threat of use of nuclear weapons against it. Its force postures remain defensive in orientation while its nuclear policy is characterized by a commitment to no-first-use, moratorium on nuclear deterrence and the rejection of an arms race or concepts and postures from the Cold War era. India remains fully committed to maintain peace with its neighbours and stability in the region through a combination of defence-preparedness, unilateral restraint, confidence building and dialogue and expanding bilateral interactions, the Report added.
The Defence Ministry Report has reiterated India’s firm and consistent stand on Global Nuclear Disarmament based on the principle of non discrimination, universal acceptability and effective compliance. Faced with an untenable nuclear environment, India was forced to resort to the nuclear option in 1998. As a nuclear state, India is even more conscious of its responsibility in regard to nuclear safety, nonproliferation and nuclear disarmament.
UKM / SKS / RAJ / HS
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