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| Special cell set up to counter growing threat to space assets: Antony | | ‘ Says security situation in J&K, NE show signs of improvement’ | | New Delhi | June 10
The Defence Minister AK Antony today announced the formation of an Integrated Space Cell under the aegis of the Integrated Defence Services Head Quarters to counter ‘the growing threat to space assets’.
Addressing the Unified Commanders’ conference here, he said, although we want to utilize space for peaceful purposes and remain committed to our policy of non-weaponization of space, ‘offensive counter space systems like anti-satellite weaponry, new classes of heavy-lift and small boosters and an improved array of Military Space Systems have emerged in our neighborhood’. He said the new Cell will act as a single window for integration among the Armed Forces, the Department of Space and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).
The Defence Minister also announced the approval of the government for the setting up of a Defence Informatics Centre on the lines of the National Informatics Centre. It will cater to the e-governance needs of the Armed Forces, the Defence Ministry and other associated organizations.
He also announced the establishment of a Defence Information Technology Consultative Committee (DITCC) comprising eminent personalities from the MoD, the three Services, Ministry of Communication and IT, Academia and the industry. DITCC would seek to synergize all information technology related matters in the MoD, the three Services and various organizations. ‘DITCC has evolved a road map and a common approach for the integration of information technology in our Armed Forces,’ he said.
The two day conference is focusing on various issues pertaining to ongoing process of joint ness amongst the three Services, Higher Defence Management and a conceptual way forward. The conference is being attended among others by the Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sureesh Mehta, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal FH Major, Chief of Army Staff General Deepak Kapoor, Defence Secretary Vijay Singh, Chief of Integrated Service Command Lt Gen HS Lidder, Commanders and Senior Officers from the Service Headquarters and the Ministry of Defence.
Dwelling at length the security challenges in and around the country, Antony said the security situation in Jammu & Kashmir and the North East has shown signs of improvement due to the commitment and dedication of our Armed Forces and the Paramilitary forces. ‘There is, however, a need to extend such synergy in functioning to counter the activities of independent modules that have linkages to terrorists in J&K and international terror networks’, he said. He called upon the security forces to not only ensure peaceful conduct of elections in the state of Jammu & Kashmir where Assembly elections are likely to be held later this year but also work for continuing peace and normalcy in the State. He warned that forces within the state and those outside, who do not want successful conduct of elections and peace in the state, will try their best to disrupt the democratic process. ‘We will have to keep a constant vigil and intensify our efforts to ensure conduct of free and fair elections in an atmosphere of peace’, he said.
Referring to the frequent requests from Jammu and Kashmir Governments for the deployment of Army to aid the civil authorities to tackle law and order problems, Antony said ‘this is not a good and healthy development in a democracy’. He said requests for the deployment of Armed Forces should come from the State Governments ‘only as a last resort when all other options have failed’.
The Defence Minister said our most important challenge in the foreseeable future is the growing instability in our neighborhood. He said India has continuously expressed serious concerns on cross border terrorism and has reiterated the importance of Pakistan fulfilling its commitment outlined in the Joint Press statement of January 6, 2004 against terrorism. He said it is also to be seen whether the recently formed civilian government in Pakistan is able to address issues of national security, religious fundamentalism and cross border terrorism effectively. |
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