Date:05/03/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/03/05/stories/2006030515960900.htm

National

Not for arms race: Pranab

Pranab Mukherjee

Kolkata: India has no intentions of joining an arms race in the sub-continent, but will procure arms according to the country's needs, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee said here on Saturady; a day after India clinched a nuclear deal with the U.S. during American President George W. Bush's visit.

"We have no territorial ambition, and will not join any arms race, but will procure arms as per requirements for defence preparedness," Mr. Mukherjee told reporters here.

Replying to questions if the India-U.S. nuke deal as also Washington's offer of arms would trigger an arms race in the sub-continent, he replied in the negative. — PTI