New Delhi, September 21
During his forthcoming visit to the USA, Defence Minister AK Antony will take up the issue of dangerous designs of Pakistan’s continued support to militancy and express fears that the military aid and equipment given by the USA to Pakistan will be directed at India.

On AFSPA, his deputy bats for Army Minister of State for Defence MM Pallam Raju on Tuesday said the Army was being “demonised” and made a “scapegoat” in Jammu and Kashmir. “It was not responsible for the current turmoil in the Valley….The Army’s presence has in fact been helping the law and order situation,” said Raju as he put his weight firmly behind the forces. Ruling out dilution or revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in Jammu and Kashmir, Raju said it was an “essential instrument” for the armed forces to move confidently in fighting terrorism.

Three senior Navy, IAF and Army commanders will accompany Antony on the two-day visit starting September 26. Admiral DK Joshi, who heads the strategic command at Andaman Nicobar Islands, Lt Gen Bikram Singh, GOC-in-C of the Eastern Command, and Air Marshal AK Gogoi, DG air operations, will be on the trip.

Antony will meet his US counterpart Secretary Defence Robert Gates. This is more like a reciprocal visit. Gates had visited India earlier this year.

India’s focus during the visit will be regional security issues like the developments in Afghanistan. India is one of the countries that want the US-led NATO forces to stay on longer in the strife-torn country lest it should slip into the hands of the Taliban.

On Pakistan, India is looking to put things in perspective as regards its neighbour’s “fight against terror”. India has always opined that Pakistan was being selective and not taking action against groups that fomented trouble in India.