'India surrounded by inimical elements'

Union Defence Minister AK Antony said India needs to modernise its defence forces as "the country is surrounded by inimical elements".

Union Defence Minister AK Antony on Wednesday said India needs to modernise its defence forces as "the country is surrounded by inimical elements".

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"We know very well that what we have is not enough. This is less than 30 per cent of the capability we require," Antony said.

The Defence Minister was addressing a gathering in Panaji during the commissioning of the Indian Coast Guards fast patrol vessel 'Samrat'.

The Government has now decided to modernise the forces and Coast Guard as quickly as possible because India is surrounded by so many elements inimical to the country, Antony said.

"Our armed forces must be in the state of preparedness always," he added.

The Union Minister of State for Defence Production Rao Inderjit Singh along with the officials from Indian Navy and Coast Guard were also present on the occasion.