Pak Army to remain ‘India centric’ unless issues like Kashmir resolved : Kayani

RAWALPINDI - Putting things straight, Pakistan Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani has said the Pakistan Army would remain an “India centric” institution unless both countries resolve the long pending Kashmir issue and water disputes between them.

“We plan on adversaries’ capabilities, not intentions,” Kayani said during a presentation to the Pakistani media.

Kayani pointed out towards the threat posed by India’s ‘Cold Start’ doctrine.

According to him the traditional theory of war on its head, ‘Cold Start’ would permit the Indian Army to attack before mobilising, increasing the possibility of a ’sudden spiral escalation.’

Kayani also talked about maintaining a balance in military spending between the two South Asian nuclear powered countries.

“Despite the fact that India’s defence budget is “seven times” that of Pakistan’s “there has to be a balance between development and military spending,” The Dawn quioted Kayani, as saying.

Referring to New Delhi’s stern stand of not holding any talks with Pakistan following the 26/11 terror attacks on Mumbai, he said: “Peace and stability in South Asia should not be made hostage to a single terrorist act of a non-state actor.”

“Refusing to talk to Pakistan would send a bad signal on two counts: one, the non-state actors would know that they have the power to nudge India and Pakistan towards war; and two, within India it would become clear that relations with Pakistan could be suspended indefinitely,” Kayani added. (ANI)