'Assessment of build-up in China correct'

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, JUNE 4. India has rejected China's sharp reaction to its concerns of a military build-up by Beijing, saying it was a ``well considered assessment'' of the Defence Ministry.

On being asked about China's strong reaction to the Defence Ministry's annual report, an External Affairs Ministry spokesman told presspersons here today that ``the assessment of the Ministry of Defence, or any other Ministry, is very well- considered.''

Beijing had termed as `irresponsible' India's objection to `normal' military cooperation between China and Pakistan. The Defence Ministry's annual report had pointed out that China was working towards the goal of achieving the `superpower' status in the new millennium and rapidly modernising its armed forces.

``Every major Indian city is within the reach of the Chinese missiles and it is reported that this capability is being further augmented to include submarine launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs),'' the Ministry report had said. ``The asymmetry in terms of nuclear forces is strongly in favour of China which additionally has helped Pakistan to build missile and nuclear capability,'' the report had added.

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Section  : National
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