India strengthening its security in border areas: Antony

Bangalore, Feb 2 (ANI): Defence Minister A K Antony on Tuesday said, India is strengthening its security in all border areas, including Arunachal Pradesh to avoid any untoward incident.

Antony said, "We are strengthening capability in that sector also to increase our deterrent capacity."We are strengthening our security set up in all areas including Arunachal Pradesh because it is a part of India ... integral part of India," he added.

Antony further said the security is being beefed up not to confront anybody and "our considered policy is to be friendly with all neighbours."

However, Antony appeared confident as he said the Indian armed forces were always ready to meet any eventuality or threat from any quarters.

"You are not well informed. There is no question of militarisation of Arunachal Pradesh," said Antony on being questioned about the 'armed forces plan' for militarisation of the northeastern state and the 'logic behind it'.

On being asked about the deployment of armed forces for internal security, he said,They were meant to protect the borders and every inch of land."

On asked about the spending of his ministry, the defence minister said that his ministry has spent more in the current fiscal year compared to the last year.

Addressing the media after inaugurating the System Test and Integration Rig (STIR) complex of the Centre of Airborne Systems, a lab of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) early today, Antony talked about importing defence systems to meet the country's immediate operational requirements.

"However, imports can never be a permanent solution. DRDO must therefore build long-term capabilities and focus on quality, rather than quantity. It must build up intrinsic design and development capability while developing these systems," he added. (ANI)