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Vajpayee warns of proxy war escalating

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today said the military coup in Pakistan had increased the possibility of escalation of the proxy war in Jammu and Kashmir and called upon the defence forces to maintain constant vigil along the borders.

Speaking at the combined commanders' conference in New Delhi the prime minister said the country's defence needs would be met and no shortage of funds would be allowed to come in the way of defence preparedness. Emphasising the need for high-tech equipment and force multipliers, he said necessary funds would be allocated and a high state of operational preparedness always maintained.

An important lesson of Operation Vijay in Kargil was that conventional capability had not lost its relevance despite nuclear capability. The prime minister called for a detailed study of the country's security needs on the basis of which the defence policy should be formulated. A new approach in this regard had been made with the formation of the national security council.

Reaffirming India's commitment to peace and development and a more just international economic order, Vajpayee underlined the need for global nuclear disarmament. He pointed out that as a sovereign nation, India would make its own assessments about its security concerns.

UNI

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