Chandigarh, June 17
Proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), promotion of terrorism by fundamentalist groups in the neighbourhood and large-scale cross-border human migration into India are among the areas of increasing concern to the country’s security.

Stating that India’s relations with all neighbours is cordial and wide-ranging, the Ministry of Defence, in its latest report has observed continuation of political instability in the neighbourhood as disturbing

Besides the proliferation of WMDs, especially the development of mobile and increasingly accurate solid-fueled missiles by Pakistan, the report also observed large-scale migration into India by people seeking a better economic and stable life. Militant training camps in Taliban-controlled areas in Afghanistan were a major source of international terrorism.

“An unprecedented proliferation of narcotics and small arms trafficking in the region threatens the stability of states and societies in the region,” the report states. Noting that India is located in the middle of the world’s major narcotic producing regions-- that is north-west Pakistan and Afghanistan on one side and Myanmar on the other-- the report states that the involvement of insurgent and criminal groups in the global drug trade was also a major cause for concern.

The security scenario in India’s extended neighbourhood, which include conflicts in Iraq, the Israel-Palestine confabulations and the West’s growing confrontations with Iran and North Korea have impacted India’s economic and energy security concerns adversely, the report said.

Continuing to have security concerns with Pakistan on cross-border terrorism, the report said terrorist groups continue to operate freely n Pakistan, where they get shelter, support and training for operations across the border. Recent incidents of terrorism and suicide bombings in some countries have demonstrated the ever-increasing reach of Pakistan-based terrorist organisations, the report added.

On China, which is India’s second largest trading partner, the report took note of the Dragon’s military modernisation, with sustained double digit growth in its defence budget for over a decade, continued upgradation of its nuclear and missile assets, development of infrastructure in Indo-China border regions and its growing defence links with some of India’s neighbours.

“The Chinese assistance to Pakistan’s nuclear and missile programme has been a matter of concern as it adversely impacted on India’s national security environment,” the report said. “We have also taken note of the recent destruction by China of one of its own satellites in polar orbit through direct ascent anti-satellite test,” it added.