Myanmar operation has changed mindset, those who fear India are reacting: Manohar Parrikar

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, June 11, 2015: Days after India’s offensive against militants along its eastern border stunned the world, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Thursday said that the action against insurgency has led to a change in other countries’ perception of India.

News agency ANI quoted Parrikar as saying that the offensive by India against insurgents has led to a “change in mindset. So much so, that people who fear India’s new posture are also reacting.”

"Therefore, a change in mindset dictates change in any field," said Parrikar.

Parrikar was referring to Pakistan which has sharply reacted to the Indian Army’s “adventurism” in Myanmar.

“India should not mistake Pakistan for Myanmar and our Army is fully capable of responding to any adventurism," Pakistan Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan had reacted on Wednesday.

Pakistan’s reaction came amidst doubts whether India would pursue a similar policy along its western border with Pakistan.

The operation conducted by the Indian Army on Tuesday involved two attacks along the Indo-Myanmar border, with the camps being located in Myanmarese territory.

Perceived as the largest cross-border operation yet by the Indian Army, the attack resulted in several militants being killed with no loss of life on the Indian side.

Army sources, meanwhile, said more such operations may be carried out in future based on intelligence reports.

"More such attacks may take place if there are intelligence inputs of a threat (of the kind of attack on June 4 in Manipur that claimed the lives of 18 Indian Army soldiers and injured many more). The forces are always ready for such operations," a senior officer told a news agency on condition of anonymity as he was not authorised to speak to the media.

Asked if a similar approach could be used on the western border, highly-placed officials said the situation on both sides is different.

Minister of State for Defence Rao Inderjit Singh denied any "hot pursuit" being involved in the operation, while Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said it was a message to all terrorists.

"We did not use hot pursuit. We contacted Burma (Myanmar) authorities before the attack," Rao Inderjit said here.

Javadekar, speaking in Mumbai, said: "The military’s action against insurgents, with assistance from the Myanmarese government, speaks volumes about India’s resolve to fight terror. This is a lesson and a message to all the terror groups that India will not hesitate in going beyond its geographical borders to eliminate terrorists."

Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju, termed it a fitting reply.

The Congress, however, said the government must not politicise the issue.


Courtesy: Zeenews