PRESS RELEASE

India Willing to Go Extra Mile For the Sake of Peace and Security - AK Antony

November 15, 2011

New Delhi, Nov. 15, 2011: Mr AK Antony, Defence Minister of India said that in South Asia, India is “willing to go the extra mile for the sake of peace and security, even on non-reciprocal basis if required.” The Defence Minister made his remarks while inaugurating the 5th South Asia Conference organised by the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA).

Mr Antony highlighted the need for an all-round cooperation among the South Asian countries. “We can ensure regional stability and contribute in each other’s growth,” he said.

The South Asia Conference is the annual event organised by the IDSA. Over the year, the conference has emerged as a useful platform for frank and candid exchanges among the region’s experts and scholars on the region’s problems.

The theme for this year’s conference is “Cooperative Security Framework for South Asia”. Scholars and experts from India, Pakistan Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal and Sri Lanka are participating in the conference.

Speaking at the conference, Mr Antony said that India is paying special attention towards increasing defence cooperation with a large number of friendly countries. He sighted the example of the significant contribution that the Indian Defence Forces have made towards disaster management and humanitarian relief work.

The Defence Minster also released two IDSA books on the occasion -“The Terror Challenge in South Asia & Prospect of Regional Cooperation” edited by IDSA scholar Dr Anand Kumar and ‘Towards a New Asian Order’ edited by Shri Ali Ahmed, Dr Jagannath P. Panda and Dr Prashant K. Singh

The 5th South Asia Conference explores the idea of Cooperative Security in South Asia region, which is beset with numerous conflicts and is now facing the threat of climate change, piracy, human trafficking, along with food water and energy scarcity.

For more information please contact:
Aparna Krishna
Manager Communications and Outreach
Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses
1, Development Enclave,
Rao Tula Ram Marg, New Delhi 110 010
Phone: +91-11-2671 7983 (Extn: 7204)
Mobile: 9899802660

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