Indian Defence Minister calls for new security paradigm

India: Indian Defence Minister A.K. Anthony has called for a new 'security paradigm' which ideally should be a mix of security cooperation, developing strategic partnerships and deterrence in consonance with India's security and strategic interests.

"Our strategic policy must reorient our relations with major powers, developing economies and our neighbours," he has told a conference for India's top military brass.

The "rise of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) air power in Sri Lanka is of concern to India also," emphasised Antony.

Anthony has stated that the India was ready to provide Sri Lanka with arms and ammunition to help them to fight terrorism.

According to Indian media reports, he has said that terrorism and non-state armed players are the major challenges for security.

The Minister has said that the most crucial challenge facing Indian Armed Forces in the near future is the growing instability in India's neighbourhood. Minister Antony conveyed India's willingness to extend "whatever possible help."

He said the message to Sri Lanka was that "we are with you" on issues of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and unity of the island state. At the same time, India expressed its preference for a "political solution" in Sri Lanka.

The Indian Defence Minister on June 2 assured Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama that the Indian Government was agreeable to conduct coordinated patrols of the maritime boundary between India and Sri Lanka in the Palk Straits.