The Hindu : Report highlights worsening security situation

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jun 01, 2003

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Report highlights worsening security situation

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI MAY 31. Though the Defence Ministry annual report released on Friday has lowered the threat perception from China, it has highlighted the worsening security environment due to political problems in other neighbouring countries. Unstable and fundamentalist ideology-dominated Governments allow Pakistan to use their soil to carry out ISI-led anti-India activity.

Normally, the information contained in annual reports released by Central Ministries becomes dated by now. But the release of this report was delayed in order to accommodate the changes in the international situation, particularly the improvement in Sino-Indian ties.

The information is of contemporary value in that sense though it may be conceded that the international situation is changing so fast that many observations contained in the revised report may become obsolete within a few weeks.

This is possible in the report's analysis about its neighbours. It notes the difference in the security threat from smaller countries around India and reasons that the presence of conservative, right wing, religious political parties in a `weak' coalition Government in Bangladesh allows Pakistan to take advantage of the favourable environment to promote fundamentalist orientation and ISI activities. Bangladesh is criticised for refusing to acknowledge the security threat posed by uncontrollable migration which in turn facilitates anti-India militant groups from the northeast to take sanctuary there.

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