Developments in Bangladesh cause of concern: Defence Ministry
Dated 21/3/2006
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New Delhi: Developments in Bangladesh were a "cause of concern" during the year, the Defence Ministry has said asking Dhaka to seriously address Indian concerns on illegal migration and activities of Indian insurgent groups in that country.
"The illegal migration and activities of these groups impact significantly on security scenario in border regions we share with Bangladesh," the ministry's annual report released on Tuesday said.
The report also expressed concern over the situation in Nepal in view of the repercussions across the border. It said that a concerted diplomatic efforts should bring about a degree of understanding between the two neighbours.
Meanwhile, the report said the question of supply of lethal weapons to Nepal, which were halted after February one, 2005 remained under constant review.
Asserting that the country remained committed to promoting dialogue with its neighbours to resolve issues, the report pointed out that peace dialogue with Pakistan had not altered the ground situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
"Attempts at infiltration continue and the terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan has not been dismantled", the report said while acknowledging that increased people-to- people contact had achieved some significant breakthrough.
On the Siachen issue, the report said Defence Secretary level talks were taking the process further.
Saying that developments in Afghanistan, where peace and security outside Kabul region remained elusive, were a matter of direct concern to India, the report said India stands ready to do more to assist Afghanistan, including in the defence sector.
"In line with India's stated policy on assistance to neighbouring countries, New Delhi will limit the help to what the recipient is comfortable with," it said.
On relations with India's other neighbour China, the report said the strategic dialogue on the boundary issue was on course but said India was monitoring sustained military modernisation being undertaken by Beijing as also development of infrastructure on the Sino-Indian border.
The report also said close defence exchanges and nuclear and missile cooperation between China and Pakistan continue to elicit concern.
The report defended the clause military cooperation with India's other neighbour Myanmar saying the two country's armed forces were acting in tandem to strike against counter-insurgent groups.
