Reasserting its allegations of Pakistan’s involvement in the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai, the Indian Ministry of Defense today released its Annual Report for 2008-09. According to the Press Trust of India (PTI), the report says that there is clear evidence of the attack being planned and launched from Pakistan. Though Pakistan initially contested the claim, it agreed to take actions against those involved after pressure and evidence from India and the US. The trial against Azam Amir Kasab, the only surviving attacker, began in Mumbai this April. Pakistan is also said to shortly begin its trial against six men accused in the attacks.
The Mumbai attacks hampered the India-Pakistan Composite Dialogue process. The composite dialogue began in February 2004 after a cease-fire between the two countries in 2003. The dialogue hopes to achieve peaceful settlement of issues ranging from Kashmir and terrorism to commercial and financial cooperation. Pakistan would like the dialogues to resume, but India insists that an atmosphere free of the threat of violence is essential to discuss mutual concerns. Addressing the Lok Sabha, India’s External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna stressed that while India recognizes the salience of dialogue, the Pakistani government needs to take action against “conspiracies and conspirators” involved in attacks on India.
The annual report says that India’s external security environment has deteriorated due to increasing terrorists outfits in Afghanistan, with support from inside Pakistan. It claims that Pakistan’s State organs have links to extremist outfits with known records of terrorist attacks against India. “The continuing links of these organizations (terrorists) with organs of the Pakistan State adds greater complexities and dangers to the evolving situation confronting us,” it said. There has been an increase in ceasefire violations and infiltration across the Line of Control (LoC). Pakistan’s “military and quasi-military adventurism” increases the risks and the need for strengthening India’s security apparatus along its borders.
Referring to India’s north-eastern neighbor, the report states, “India will engage China to seek greater transparency and openness in defense policy and posture, while taking all necessary measures to protect its national security, territorial integrity and sovereignty.” It expresses fears of direct military implications for India of China’s military assistance to Pakistan. China has significantly increased its defense spending over the years and is modernizing its military. This is a matter of concern in India given its history of a war with China in 1962 and ongoing border disputes between the two countries. India’s asylum to the Dalai Lama is another prickly matter. However, the report takes hope in China’s White Paper on defense which states that the country shall not engage in military expansion and hegemony in the future.
In view of the increasing tensions and instability in Nepal, the report expresses concern over the open border between the two countries. It also hopes for a peaceful and political resolution of the Tamil conflict in Sri Lanka.
