India on Tuesday ruled out joining any military pact or alliance against any other country but said that it would continue engagement of its armed forces with major countries.

"We will not enter into any military alliance with any country," Defence Minister A K Antony told the Lok Sabha as the House, after a break of almost a decade, discussed and passed the Demands for Grants for the Defence Ministry.

While ruling out joining any military pact or alliance, Antony made it clear that India will not tone down or give up its growing engagements with major powers like the United States, Russia [Images] and others as these were aimed at increasing the capabilities of the Indian armed forces.

"We are following an independent foreign policy," he said, asserting that the government will not take any step that is against the interest of the country's sovereignty.

In the course of his hour-long reply, the Defence Minister said that the country's armament programmes, including building of missiles, modernisation and raising the force levels of the armed forces were going at steady pace.

He said that efforts were on to bring to an optimal level the country's air and naval strengths.

On the appointment of first ever Chief of Defence Staff, Antony said that no political consensus could be reached as political parties were still to give their response to the proposal.

Overriding criticism that there was slowdown in arms procurements, he said his ministry was clearing all proposals timely, but foul play and investigations by the central Bureau of Investigation in some of the deals like Barak missile had led to delays.

On the controversial Logistics Support Agreement with the US, which has angered the Left parties, Antony said discussions were on but India would not include any clause that will go against the interest of the country's sovereignty.

Elaborating on the country's weapons programme, he said the missile programme - short range, long range and ground-to-air - was on schedule.

He said the Light Combat Aircraft as well as the country's first ever Air Defence Ship would roll out on schedule by 2012.

Similarly, he said other strategic projects like unmanned aerial vehicles and the supersonic Brahmos cruise missile were on course.

Clarifying on INS Jalashwa, the ship landing dock procured from the US, the minister maintained that the warship still had a life of 10 years. This, he said, had been verified by a team of experts led by a Vice Chief of Navy, which had submitted a report to the government. He asserted that INS Jalashwa, previously known as the USS Trenton, was not an abandoned ship.

Antony said that previous governments had not given proper attention to developing infrastructure along the border areas.

"We have decided to develop infrastructure in the border states, particularly in Arunachal Pradesh," he said, adding that the government had undertaken 72 road projects in such states on a priority basis.

Antony said the United Progressive Alliance government has also set up an Ex-servicemen Welfare Department to look into issues concerning retired military personnel.