Pakistan security scene, Kashmir infiltrations worry India

NEW DELHI - India is as concerned with the worsening security situation inside Pakistan as it is with the continuing infiltration in Jammu & Kashmir, the annual report of the defence ministry released Monday says.

The increasing incidents of terrorism within Pakistan targeting, inter alia, the security establishment and senior military personnel, and the rising tide of extremism underlined the serious threat to Pakistan itself and to the region, says the report. It notes: The Pakistani government made some progress in tackling jihadi insurgency in Swat and the adjacent districts and also in South Waziristan.

The continued infiltrations across the LoC (Line of Control) and the existence of terrorist camps across the India-Pakistan border, however, demonstrate the continuing ambivalence of Pakistan in its actions against terrorist organisations,” the report says.

India, it stresses, “has exercised exemplary restraint in the face of gravest provocation. Pakistan needs to take effective steps to address Indias concern on terrorism directed against it from the territory under Pakistan control,

Noting that India has never shut the door for dialogue with Pakistan, and is of the view that meaningful dialogue with Pakistan is possible only in an environment free of terror or threat of terror”, the report said: This calls for Pakistan to take effective measures to dismantle the infrastructure of terrorism on its soil which is directed against India.

It also says that all parameters of proxy war are at an all-time low in Kashmir and the current situation indicated a shift towards normalcy and peace the ceasefire on the borders/LoC is holding out with a few minor aberrations.

However, despite the improving security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, infiltration attempts continued, the report noted.

During April 1, 2009, to February 28, 2010, 33 infiltration attempts were foiled with 50 terrorists killed in the process. During the same period, 213 terrorists were also killed and 68 apprehended in gun battles with the armed forces.

On China, the report says relations have generally progressed well in the last year based on their strategic and cooperative partnership.

There has been a convergence of views and actions on various issues of international fora. A regular mechanism for exchanges in the military sphere has been established through the ongoing confidence building measures between the armed forces of both countries and other military interactions.

At the same time, the report adds: India also remains conscious and alert about the implications of Chinas military modernisation.

Rapid infrastructure development in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) and Xinjiang province has considerably upgraded Chinas military force projection capability and strategic operational flexibility, the report says. It adds: Necessary steps have been initiated for the upgradation of our infrastructure and force structuring along the northern borders.

On Afghanistan, the report observes that the security and stability of Afghanistan is critical to Indias own security concerns.

The report also takes note of the deployment of additional 30,000 US troops in the Af-Pak region by May this year and US President Barack Obamas July 2011 time frame for troops withdrawal from Afghanistan.

The report praises Bangladesh on security concerns.

Relations with Bangladesh have been strengthened since the restoration of multi-party democracy in that country. India is appreciative of the increasing cooperation with Bangladesh in security matters, especially vis–vis Indian insurgent groups operating from its territory, the report says.

It says that cooperation with Myanmar in security matters is being enhanced, while India continues developmental activities in that country, which lies at the tri-junction of South and Southeast Asia.

On Sri Lanka, the report says there lies a historic opportunity to find a lasting political settlement in the island country’s north after the conclusion of military operations against the Tamil Tiger rebels.

On Irans controversial nuclear programme, the report says: India continued to support a peaceful resolution of the issue which would be in the interest of peace and stability in West Asia.

The report also takes note of the worldwide economic slowdown, saying that the challenges confronting the global financial system created strains in the global security environment.