India’s Minister of State (MoS) for Defence denies that China poses any threat to India despite border dispute; Indian National Defence University to be set up by 2017
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    • India’s Minister of State (MoS) for Defence M M Pallam Raju said on May 19, 2012 that China posed no threat to India despite border dispute, but added that the country was equipping itself well to deter any adversary. "I think it is not a threat. We have a very healthy economic partnership with China, which is our neighbour. Of course, we do have differences on the perception of the border, which again at a very high level meeting of National Security Advisors we are thrashing these things out," he said. The minister was responding to a question from reporters on whether China was a constant threat to India and steps taken to counter it. He saw no reason for a conflict between the two neighbours. "We are having a strong deterrence posture. And we are strengthening it further. So, I am sure there will not be any reason for any conflict to happen...We are trying to be mutually beneficial to each other,". Meanwhile he pointed out "...As a nation with such a large population and with economic interest worldwide and as a growing economy, I think we have to have those strong deterrence capabilities to make sure that none of our adversaries take us for granted." 1

    In another development, reports noted that India's first and only Defence University will come up by 2017 and the land acquisition process at Binola in Gurgaon district of Haryana has begun. Defence Minister AK Antony, in a written reply to questions from Lok Sabha members, said the Indian National Defence University (INDU) was accorded "in principle" approval by the Union Cabinet on May 13, 2010, and it will be set up at Binola. For this, the Haryana government has already issued notification to acquire land. "It is projected that the establishment of INDU and its constituents will be spread over seven years," he said. "An estimated expenditure of Rs 295 crore (at the rate of 2010) for setting up the university and Rs 162 crore (at current rate) for the acquisition of land is likely to be incurred," he added. 2

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