Defence Minister A K Antony emphasised the upcoming five-nation naval wargames, which will include the US, were not aimed at any third country.
GWALIOR: Notwithstanding the Left parties' opposition to growing Indo-US strategic ties, government on Saturday ruled out halting the defence interactions with America butexpressed willingness to accommodate the "concerns and caution" suggested by the allies supporting from outside.
Defence Minister A K Antony emphasised the upcoming five-nation naval wargames, which will include the US, were not aimed at any third country but helping Indian forces enhance their fighting capabilities.
"There can't be any rollback in military interactions with the US and other nations," Antony said after witnessing breathtaking manouvres by frontline fighters of the IAF at the airbase here.
These series of exercises are not only with the US, but other nations like Russia, France and UK and are equipping our forces to absorb high-end weapons technology as well as boosting their fighting capabilities", the Defence Minister said.
At the same time, Antony said due attention would be given to concerns and caution voiced by the Government's Left allies, while formulating such interactions with foreign militaries.
The four-day multi-nation naval exercise in the Bay of Bengal, commencing from September four, were not aimed or directed against any other country, Antony said, in an apparent reference to China.
There has been reported disquiet in Beijing over these manouvres, in which 23 warships from US, India, Japan, Australia and Singapore are taking part.
Though Antony did not refer to China by name, his deputy M M Pallam Raju had said at a function yesterday that New Delhi had informed Beijing about the scope of these war games.
Asked if the Left allies had mounted pressure on the Government to put off the proposed wargames, the Defence Minister said no sort of pressure was brought to bear on the issue.
"Though there was some anxiety. No pressure was brought about to cancel or put off the exercise," Antony said.
Declaring that holding of joint exercises did not in any manner imply India joining any pact or military grouping, the Defence Minister said there can be "no question of India being part of any confrontation anywhere".
"Military interactions with US date back to 1992 and ever since successive Governments representing different political shades have pursued these military ties", he argued.
He said New Delhi had similar armed forces interaction with Russians, French, British and now "we are even poised to conduct first ever anti-terrorism war games with China".
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