India to discuss AF-Pak with US, says Taliban remains a threat to world peace

New Delhi, June 25 (ANI): Defence Minister A K Anthony on Thursday said that the Taliban remains a threat to world peace and he will discuss the overall security scenario in Afghanistan-Pakistan with US National Security Adviser General James Jones, who is scheduled to visit India today.

The Defence Minister further said that that the situation in Pakistan is bad and there is a lot of turmoil, which is of great concern.

"The situation in Pakistan is bad. There is a lot of turmoil and it is a great cause of concern to us. We would like to tell the Pakistan government to take stern action against the terrorists," Antony said.

He was speaking to reporters after inaugurating the Unified Commanders' Conference whose overall theme is "Victory through Jointness".

"The Taliban remains a threat to world peace and when General Jones comes down to India we will take up the issue with him and discuss the overall situation in Af-Pak," Antony said.

General Jones will visit New Delhi on June 25 as part of ongoing US effort to further strengthen key bilateral partnership with India. He is visiting New Delhi on the invitation of his Indian counterpart, MK Narayanan, after visiting Afghanistan and Pakistan to monitor implementation of the new US war plan.

Antony vowed to beef up security in Jammu and Kashmir despite decline in infiltration in the state from across the border, and said that terrorist groups are a real threat in the state.

"The ties with Pakistan can be normalised only after Islamabad beings crackdown on terrorists," he said.

"After 26/11 we have made great changes to the coastal security in the country; the Navy, and the Coast Guards have been given specific responsibilities," the Defence Minister added.

The two-day Unified Commanders Conference will focus mainly on jointness, integration and development of integrated war fighting capability. It will also deliberate upon various issues relating to Services capabilities to meet the security challenges faced by the nation.

During the conference, the senior commanders will discuss the key achievements and progress made by Headquarters, Integrated Defence Staff (IDS) and will also make presentations on major achievements and contemporary issues of tri-service implications.

The Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee Admiral Sureesh Mehta, Air Chief Marshal P V Naik, Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor, IDS Chief Air Marshal S C Mukul and heads of Andaman and Nicobar Command and Strategic Forces Command, will attend the Conference. By Praful Kumar Singh (ANI)