MoD: Pak is terror epicentre, why is China helping

Pakistan is the ‘‘epicentre of Islamic fundamentalism’’ while China is still clinging to approximately 38,000 sq kms of ...

Pakistan is the ‘‘epicentre of Islamic fundamentalism’’ while China is still clinging to approximately 38,000 sq kms of Indian territory, says the Annual Report of the Ministry of Defence for the year 2001-2002 released here today. Though the report had some kind words for China, Pakistan was virulently criticised for its ‘‘unwillingness’’ to end its strategy of ‘‘confrontation, violence and deception towards India’’.

The report, released just hours before US Assistant Secretary of State Christina Rocca landed in New Delhi, said Pakistan has all along been the primary source of supply of arms and ammunition to Kashmiri militants and is continuing its policy of sponsoring terrorism in other parts of India.

About China, the report says that though Sino-Indian relations improved between 2001 and 2002, there were still reports of the transfer of missile parts and components technology to Pakistan in 2001. The report is a bit more favourably disposed towards other neighbouring countries. The ‘‘minor irritants’’ that spring up between most neighbours have been tackled with maturity, and India foresees no security problems with Nepal, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan and the Maldives, report says.

The report is upbeat on Indo-US relations, saying there was considerable progress in defence cooperation after a three-year period of limited contacts. The lifting of unilateral restrictions by the US has paved the way for fuller development of relations between the two countries, says the report. On Afghanistan, the report refers to the humanitarian assistance provided to the war-ravaged nation. It mentions the military to military dialogues to be held annually with Japan.