Radicalisation in Pakistan concern for India: Indian security advisor

Doval questions Pakistan's willingness and ability to control the situation

Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval said on Thursday that increasing radicalisation in Pakistan was a major concern for India, Zee News reported.

“The threat is real and the threat is imminent. There is change in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Particularly in Pakistan... The radicalisation of Pakistan's society is a matter of added concern,” Doval said.

“We are sceptical about the abilities or the competence, and the will and desire of the Pakistan government to take on and control the situation though we would like them very much to do so,” the former Intelligence Bureau chief said.

“We want to deal with Pakistan in a way which is fair, correct, transparent,” he said, adding that India would not bend to “pressure tactics or blackmailing, or the thinking that the nuclear threshold will leave India with no option but to accept the covert war as a reality to which they don't have any response.”

He added that India had been trying to engage and expressed hope that Pakistan would understand that this engagement is in the interest of both countries.

The security adviser mentioned relations between Pakistan and China, however, he added that there was no threat of a war.

"I don't say there is an imminent threat from China of Pakistan. When I say we should be prepared, I am not talking about any immediate war. Preparedness dose not mean war, it is a deterrent," he said.

This article originally appeared on Zee News.