India strengthening its border infrastructure: Antony

PUNE - Defence Minister A K Antony on Monday said India has neglected the concept of developing borders in the past, but is now strengthening the border infrastructure in regions prone to internal and external threat.

He pointed out that there was some neglect on the part of the government regarding development of infrastructure in the northeast.

He said: “There was a concept that borders are not to be developed. That is an old concept. We have suffered a lot because of the old concept. We realised our mistake.”

“Now, we are developing infrastructure in the eastern sector as well as northern sector. At the same time, I will tell you that India is not an expansionist country. We don’t want an inch of land from any of our neighbours. But we will protect every inch of our Indian border,” he added.

Antony said the country is well prepared to tackle any threat from any quarters, while interacting with the media on the sidelines of the passing out parade of the 118th course of National Defence Academy (NDA) at Khadakwasla near Pune. “I can tell you confidentially that even though threat is increasing. India is becoming one of the arenas or the main state of international terrorism but armed forces are well equipped, fully committed,” said Antony.Their morale is very high, they are ever ready, 24 by 7, to face any challenge from any quarter,” he added.

Antony further said the Central Government has stepped up land, air and coastal security and the armed forces are fully alert to increasing threat perceptions stemming from international terrorism. (ANI)