Date:03/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/03/stories/2009010355701000.htm

National

‘We are not escalating tension’

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Defence Minister A.K. Antony on Friday said India had not escalated tension and that there was “no unusual troop movement” on the borders.

The defence exercises being conducted were normal. After the November 26 attacks in Mumbai, it was natural for the country to prepare for “all eventualities.” The Minister was speaking on the sidelines of a function to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the founding of Sainik Samachar, official journal of the armed forces.

“After 26/11, nobody will [have to] tell us. We must be prepared to meet all eventualities, but these [step] are not escalation and nobody is making any provocation … we have to meet any challenge, threats from any quarters,” he said. Islamabad, he asserted, should act against terror groups.

The Cabinet Committee on Security would soon meet to clear the proposal to have a Coastal Command. The Minister said three of the four demands of the Services vis-À-vis the Sixth Pay Commission were met with.