Notwithstanding the Left parties' opposition to relations with the United States, the government on Thursday said military interaction with foreign forces, including the US, will continue.
"Indian armed forces' exercise and interaction with foreign forces are for upgrade of skills and providing them a chance to get acquainted with hi-tech weapons," Defence Minister A K Antony said on the sidelines of the Naval Commanders conference in New Delhi.
He suggested that politics should not be mixed with armed forces.
"Our security forces are and will remain apolitical."
Asked about reports of growing number of incursions by Chinese troops in Indian territories along the Sino-Indian border, Antony refuted all such reports. He said all these reports of incursions were coming as perceptions of two countries on the boundary line still differed.
"However, there is stability and complete tranquility all along the long mountainous border," he said.
In his address, Antony advocated quicker decision in weapons acquisitions for the armed forces.
Asserting that the government was committed to speedy modernisation of the armed forces, he called for setting up of adequate monitoring mechanisms to avoid delays in projects.