Troop reduction cosmetic: India

Published April 30, 2004

NEW DELHI, April 29: Pakistan's decision to cut the strength of its armed forces by 50,000 troops was only an administrative measure that would not impact on its fighting ability, India's Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Madhvendra Singh said on Thursday.

Responding to reports that Pakistan would pare down its military, he said: "It did not mean anything as they are not reducing the fighting strength of their defence forces".

United News of India quoted the naval chief as saying at Vishakhapatnam base that the fighting potential of Pakistan was not expected to get any weaker, as was evident by the statement about having a "leaner and lethal army".

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