News
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Sino-Pakistan defence ties a ‘serious concern’: India
NEW DELHI: India views with “serious concern” growing defence ties between China and Pakistan, and says it will have to bolster its own military capabilities to meet the challenge.
“It is a matter of serious concern for us. The main thing is we have to increase our capability – that is the only answer,” Defence Minister AK Antony told reporters in New Delhi late on Friday.
The comments followed reports China plans to accelerate supply of 50 new JF-17 Thunder multi-role combat jets to Pakistan under a co-production pact.
Antony added safe havens for terrorists in Pakistan was another “main concern” for New Delhi, and told Islamabad to “disband and destroy” all guerrilla outfits if it “sincerely” wanted to improve relations with India.
“The killing by US commandos of Osama bin Laden has internationally stamped the Pakistan’s position as the core of terrorist activities in the South Asian region,” he said.
Antony declined to comment on remarks by senior Indian military leaders that India had the capability to launch a strike like the one the US carried out in Pakistan to kill bin Laden.
He added that India might sign a contract to buy 126 fighter jets for its air force by the end of March 2012. “This fiscal (year) ends on March 31, 2012. The deal can happen before that.”
Last month, India shortlisted France’s Dassault Aviation SA and European consortium Eurofighter GmbH for the contract. The deal, estimated at $10 billion, is considered the biggest of its kind globally in the past 15 years. afp
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk