Indian state minister: Bangladesh is as big a security threat as China, Pakistan

Union Minister of State (Home) Hansraj Ahir has said that Bangladesh poses as much a security threat to India as China and Pakistan. He was speaking at a conference on homeland security, organised by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) on Thursday. "Bangladesh is only a so-called friend because evidently it has caused India the maximum harm through illegal intrusion,” Ahir was quoted by news magazine India Today. "It is not only China or Pakistan, but Bangladesh also poses an equally bigger challenge to our national security. I know it because I get to see that closely," he said. The Union MoS for Home also said the government had deployed modern technologies and equipment to keep a check on intrusion in Kashmir and was using the same on other fronts in dealing with Naxalites, growing issues of youth radicalisation in Kerala, and security of the railways, airports and other such places. Referring to the recent incursion attempts made by China, he said, "China today is not a very close friend of us. It has always raised problems for the country. And be it China, Myanmar, Bangladesh or terrorists coming into India through Pakistan, we will promote the usage of various modern technologies to curb intrusion."

Ahir hails efforts for consensus on Ayodhya

Ahir also commended the efforts being made to build a consensus on resolving the Ayodhya dispute, according to a statement issued by the ASSOCHAM. He said the government would look into the demand and suggestion of the industry but it must come up with indigenously-developed smart technologies, and the government would help in research and development in this regard. The minister added that the government would work in tandem with the private industry to deal with all homeland security threats and challenges facing India, the statement reads. Meanwhile, Ahir slammed the controversial comment of National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah in which he called PoK (Pakistan-occupied Kashmir) a part of Pakistan which India had not been able to get even after 70 years . "I condemn his (Farooq's) statement on PoK. I say PoK is a part of India, and due to the previous government's mistakes, it has been with Pakistan. If we try to get PoK back, no one can stop us because it is our right. We will make efforts to get it back," he said.