Defence Minister AK Antony on Friday (June 03) said that the Indo-Pak defence talks were held in a cordial atmosphere but remained inconclusive.

Union Defence Minister at an award function of the DRDO in the National Capital said that the Indo-Pak defence talks were cordial and the next round will be held in Islamabad.

“Talks went on in a cordial atmosphere and both sides agreed that more time is needed for discussion. The next discussion will be held in Islamabad, it is a very complicated issue so both the sides need more time,” said, AK Antony, Union Defence Minister.

Talking about defence equipments the defence Minister said there should be more indigenization.

“Major portion of the needs of the armed forces should be produced in India. But there are two conditions, one is from the DRDO side- they should always be competitive and should be able to provide the most modern equipments,” said, AK Antony, Union Defence Minister.

In an answer relating to the controversy of the age of army Chief Antony said that decision is yet to be taken. “Whenever government takes the decision, we will inform,” said, AK Antony.

The controversy on whether Gen VK Singh was born on May 10, 1950 or a year later has to be settled by Defence ministry.

The issue came to light in May 2006 when two different date of births for VK Singh in its official records. The army chief had been maintaining his DoB as May 10, 1951, in his confidential reports and service record, contrary to the DoB shown in other official documents.

Army Chief General V K Singh, is supposed to retire in June next year, may enjoy an extended tenure with the Law Ministry clearing confusion over his age following discrepancy in service records. The Law Ministry is of the opinion that Singh’s correct date of birth is May 10, 1951, and not May 10, 1950.

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