'No miracle solution to India-China disputes'

Ezhimala (PTI): Noting that a spirit of cooperation and competition prevailed between India and China, Defence Minister A K Antony, on Saturday, said negotiations to resolve the disputes between the two would take their own time and he did not expect any 'miracles'. "It is cooperation and competition. Both are neighbours and we have to work together. There are many areas where our relations are growing and disputes in some areas for which we are trying to find solutions through negotiations. I do not expect miracles to find a solution to them. It will take its own natural time," he said and remarked that on the whole, relations between the two countries were improving.

Stating that India would continue strengthening its capability along the borders as part of continuing process, he noted that China, a modern country with a growing economy, was strengthening is armed forces and infrastructure along their borders. "India is also a growing country. Indian economy is also growing and it is natural that we strengthen our capability and infrastructure along our borders on Indian soil," he observed. Antony said the Indian armed forces were now better equipped than ever and one of the best in the world and that the country's borders- land, sea and air � were very safe. He said there was a time when developed nations considered India not that modern, but that has changed and now everybody was keen to have close cooperation with its armed forces. Antony said the services of the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard were now in greater demand. The Armed Forces have defence cooperation with nearly 48 countries , he said and added that all Navies in the world want to have joint exercises with their Indian counterpart. "In fact we find it difficult to accommodate," he added.

Cyber Command all set to be reality for armed forces Ezhimala (Ker) (PTI): The armed forces are in the process of finalising a proposal to set up a Cyber Command and it would soon become a reality, Defence Minister A K Antony said on Friday. "The Armed forces are making arrangements and they are in the process of finalising a proposal for a Cyber Command. It will become a reality," he told reporters here. To a query on cyber ware fare, Antony said, "In the area of cyber I agree with you, we are a late starter. But now foundation is laid up. In the government there are joint mechanisms to handle the emerging cyber security scenario." The Indian Armed forces and Coast Guard are in a rapid growth phase. The Defence Ministry had spent more than Rs 3,000 crore of the allotted budget last year though only a particular amount was allocated in the general budget, he said. "We are not surrendering a single paise now. Gone are the days of surrendering money. We are spending everything. So some projects may be delayed, but by the time some others will come forward," he said, adding that on the whole, things were moving fast.