Pune: The Chief of Army Staff, General
Deepak Kapoor, on Sunday said it was important to ensure that the
control of Pakistan's nuclear weapons command did not go to
"wrong hands".
Reacting to media reports that the National Command
Authority there which controls the nuke button, has been
handed over to Pakistan Prime Minister Yusouf Raza Gilani,
General Kapoor said, "What is more important is to have proper
control over nuclear weapons and ensure that it does not go to
wrong hands.”
In an informal interaction with media on the sidelines of
National Defence Academy (NDA)' s passing out parade at
Khadakwasla, about 20 km from here, General Kapoor talked about
different issues.
Referring to development of infrastructure by China in
Tibet, he said, "It is necessary that we also develop
infrastructure on our side" of the border.
The Army Chief, however, was quick to add that India had
"good relations" with China and there was a mechanism in place
to discuss the border dispute with that country.
"There is nothing to get worried about", he said.
On infiltration in Jammu and Kashmir, General Kapoor said
terrorists were likely to step up their activities before the
snow fall in the Valley.
"There has been peace and stability in the border state
for the last one and a half years. Some people do not like
it", he observed.
Referring to his recent visit to Israel, the Army Chief
said it was in connection with "certain ongoing issues" as
the two countries had a defence cooperation to combat
terrorism and share intelligence.
Earlier, General Kapoor who took salute at a smartly
turned out parade of NDA cadets, asked them to prepare
themselves for a modern warfare which would be complex and
multi-dimensional and driven by technology.
"Introduction of nuclear, biological and chemical
weapons have transformed modern warfare in its range and
tempo", he noted.
The President's gold medal was awarded to Cadet Captain
M M Markale on the occasion.
PTI
First Published: Sunday, November 29, 2009, 14:40