ANTONY 2 LAST

Noting that India's profile was growing in the
international arena, Antony said other nations were expecting
much more from New Delhi for meeting some common challenges.

"We are making sincere and continuous efforts to
resolve long-standing issues with our immediate neighbourhood.
We have always striven for peaceful relations with all our
neighbours. As a vibrant democracy and a prospering economy,
we cannot ignore the security calculus in the region," he
said.
Antony said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's
willingness to resume dialogue with Pakistan must be seen in
the context of India's eagerness for peace in the region.
On the security challenges faced by India, the Defence
Minister said the government had already taken several steps
for capacity-building of the armed forces "to meet the new and
emerging challenges."
However, India will remain steadfast in its pursuit of
regional and global peace, he added.
Later, replying to a query on the recent test-firing
of Agni-II during night that failed, Antony said: "These types
of tests are many times successful and sometimes a failure. We
cannot expect success in all tests. We are absolutely
confident that DRDO will be able to finally achieve the target
at the earliest."
Asked if the failed test put a question mark on
India's nuclear deterrence, the Defence Minister rubbished it
saying: "It is absolutely not relevant." PTI NCB
DDC


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