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India not in arms race: Vajpayee

IRNA

New Delhi Oct 13, IRNA -- Asserting that India`s military preparedness 
was purely for self-defense, the Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee 
charged Pakistan with acquiring weapons while accusing New Delhi of 
triggering an arms race in the sub-continent, local press reported 
here on Monday. 
"Whatever steps India has been taking, it is for self-defense. We 
are not in any arms race with anybody. Those who are themselves 
acquiring weapons are blaming us," Vajpayee told reporters here on his
return from an eight-day visit to Indonesia and Thailand Sunday. 
He was responding to a question on the Pakistan President, Pervez 
Musharraf`s recent statement accusing India of triggering an arms race
in South Asia. 
"The development of closer political and economic linkages between
India and ASEAN is in consonance with our efforts for a multipolar 
world order and for expanding our economic opportunities," Vajpayee 
also said. 
In a prepared statement, Vajpayee said the response of ASEAN to 
India`s initiatives had been unequivocally positive. "Both the India- 
ASEAN summit and my bilateral visit to Thailand illustrated the depth 
and versatility which our relations with ASEAN and its countries have 
acquired." 
He said the free trade area (FTA) framework agreement signed with 
the Association of South East Asian Nations demonstrated India`s 
ability and political will to deliver on its commitment to expand 
economic linkages within the region. "We made it clear that we can 
proceed at a pace at which ASEAN is comfortable." 
"I put forward the idea that ASEAN needs to be more closely 
integrated with India, China, Japan and Korea. An Asian Economic 
Community, including the 14 countries of ASEAN+3+1, would more 
efficiently exploit our synergies," the statement said. 
Referring to his meeting with the Chinese Premier, Wen Jiabao, in 
Bali, the Prime Minister said the two countries had agreed to expedite
the establishment of the Joint Study Group on economic cooperation. 
In his discussions with the Indonesian President, Megawati 
Sukranoputri, it was agreed that the two countries would expand 
cooperation in the field of counter-terrorism. 
"We expressed interest in undertaking railway projects in 
Indonesia. India was invited to invest in existing palm oil 
plantations of Indonesia or those now coming up," Vajpayee said about 
his meeting with Megawati. 
On the Thailand leg of his visit, the Prime Minister remarked that
he was "particularly touched" by his Thai counterpart, Thaksin 
Shinawatra`s "attentive and warm hospitality", going well beyond 
normal protocol requirements. 
"We also greatly appreciated Prime Minister Thaksin`s commitment 
to developing our bilateral relations in all areas, and his support 
for India`s dialogue with ASEAN." 
Both countries, Vajpayee said, had agreed to intensify security 
cooperation and joint efforts against terrorism. "India and Thailand 
also agreed to work together against drug trafficking, and in joint 
naval patrolling against narcotics and piracy." 
The FTA framework agreement signed with Thailand was the first to 
be signed with any ASEAN country, he pointed out. "Prime Minister 
Thaksin and I agreed that we would expedite the implementation of the 
agreement, for the elimination of tariff and non-tariff barriers to 
the free movement of goods, capital and services within agreed time 
frames," the Prime Minister`s statement added. 
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