India is strengthening security set up in Arunachal Pradesh to enhance its deterrent capability, but there was no question of militarisation of the north-eastern state, Defence Minister A K Antony said on Tuesday.
China has repeatedly raked up its claim over Arunachal Pradesh and even objected to visits of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama. India has strongly rejected China's claims.
Saying that he did not want to evade the question on Arunachal Pradesh, Antony said, "We are strengthening capability in that sector also to increase our deterrent capacity."
"...We are strengthening our security set up in all areas, including Arunachal Pradesh because it is a part of India... integral part of India," Antony told media persons in Bengaluru.
He said India was strengthening the security apparatus not to confront anybody and 'our considered policy is to be friendly with all our neighbours'.
But at the same time, he said, Indian armed forces were always ready to meet any eventuality or threat from any quarters.
"You are not well informed. There is no question of militarisation of Arunachal Pradesh", Antony said, when a reporter asked him about the "armed forces plan" for "militarisation" of the north-eastern state and the "logic behind it".
To a question on deploying the armed forces for internal security, Antony said they were meant to protect the borders and "every inch of land".
Noting that internal security was the responsibility of state governments and state police, he said paramilitary forces were supplementing their efforts.
Deploying armed forces for internal security is "the last, last, last resort," he said.
