The Hindu : Front Page : Foolproof security for Olympic torch

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Thursday, Mar 27, 2008
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Foolproof security for Olympic torch

Sandeep Dikshit

NEW DELHI: India has promised foolproof security for the passage of the Olympic torch through the country. “We will provide all possible arrangements to ensure that the Olympic torch travels through India peacefully,” National Security Adviser (NSA) M.K. Narayanan told journalists here on Wednesday. The torch will arrive here on April 17 from Pakistan.

The NSA’s assertion comes in the wake of China’s apprehensions that the torch may be disrupted by Tibetan protesters. It has said nations on the relay route have the obligation to ensure the smooth progress of the torch.

Delivering the Air Chief Marshal P.C. Lal memorial lecture, the NSA said India faced many challenges rather than threats in its ties with China while the situation was the reverse with Pakistan. Calling upon the security planners not to view China through “a single prism of aggregate military capability,” he said the peaceful rise of both countries was a “unique phenomenon,” marked by intensive interaction and frequent summit meetings. However, a broader national consensus was required on viewing China as a threat or a neighbour “we can go along with.”

On the other hand, there was a significant anti-India sentiment in Pakistan, especially among the intelligence agencies, and its military strategy was India-centric. It was also “frenetically” acquiring weapon systems and missiles to achieve parity and confront India.

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