Modernisation of Defence Forces not for confrontation: Antony

Leh, May 4 (UNI) Defence Minister A K Antony said today asserted that India was not modernising its defence forces to go on the war path with anyone but to keep pace with other countries also acquiring modern technologies.

Speaking during his maiden visit to the Siachen glacier --hitherto the highest battlefield in the world, he said they had been able to control terrorist activities and infiltration to ''a great extent'' but the country's defence forces need to be ''vigilant and fully prepared to combat any kind of danger from any side anywhere.'' '' Till terrorism continues to get support from across the border, it cannot be said that everything is fine,'' Mr Antony said.

''India seeks cordial relations with the neighbouring countries and peace process with them is in progress which is heading towards positive results, however, we still need to be vigilant,'' he added.

''It is high time that the nation acknowledged the sacrifices of the Armed forces personnel who are protecting the nation in extreme conditions,'' the Defence Minister said, adding that he would actively pursue better pay and allowances for the armed forces personnel before the Sixth Pay Commission.

''For the first time in history all the defence forces have prepared a Joint Memorandum for the Pay Commission and now the Defence Ministry will present it with full committment, Mr Antony said.

Assuring that the Armed forces will be equiped with ultramodern weapons and the process of modernisation will be undertaken at full speed, the Defence Minster said in the past two to three years the pace of modernisation has gained speed and in the coming years the country's armed forces will have world class equipments and weapons.

The Defence Minister assured that to keep up the morale of the defence personnel, the government will take all possible steps for their welfare to ensure that they can meet the challeges while protecting the nation without any worries.

Among others present at the function were Army Chief General J J Singh, Defence Secretary Shekhar Dutt, Secretary, Defence Production K P Singh and Prime Minister's Envoy Shyam Sharan.

UNI