The Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) network has been operational in India for nearly two decades. The LeT is one of the earliest affiliates of the Al-Qaeda network. Apart from India and Asia, LeT operates in more than a score of countries across the globe, including in North America, Australia, Europe and Africa. Most important among a dozen or more LeT-controlled networks across India is the Indian Mujahideen (IM). The IM consists mainly of disaffected Muslim youth, induced to come to Karachi (Pakistan) and then sent for training to the Pak-Afghan border or Pakistan occupied Kashmir.A feature of IM attacks is the choice of "soft targets" such as mass transportation systems, crowded markets, court houses, and wherever people congregate in large numbers. More recently, Jewish institutions and foreign nationals have been added to this list. Most of the attacks between 2010 and 2013 have been attributed to the IM though some like the German Bakery attack, were possibly in collaboration with LeT. Bo

'Ambit of terrorist activities is steadily becoming enlarged'

Business Standard

The phenomenon of sub-State actors is among the newer challenges that India faces. Some are already operating as near-State entities. Embedding themselves within the political system, they are beginning to seriously impact the domestic stability. Sub-state actors have been present in the Northeast for years, but the phenomenon is now in vogue in other parts of the country, as well.

'India is facing new challenges to security'

Thank you for the welcome. Lion Reena Roy, thank you so much for the peace prayer.

'Build public opinion against corruption'

China&rsquo;s geostrategic focus has for long been Asia and its traditional thrust towards East and Southeast Asia. Lately, the ambit of its influence has been widening. It is building advantageous power relationships not only in contiguous territories, but even far beyond, including parts of South and Central Asia. This is happening, alongside strengthening of friendship with countries of West Asia and Africa and increasing its presence in several countries in the Indian Ocean littoral and Africa. Many of its actions go beyond what is required to ensure unhindered access and connectivity of hydrocarbon-rich Asia and Africa to the Chinese seaboard. China has been aggressive in the South China Sea, and Chinese actions vis-&agrave;-vis Vietnam and Japan border on near aggression. Several of China&rsquo;s actions, hence, smack of power projection and is leading to a clash of interest with other major countries in the region, including India.

'China emerging as a naval entity cannot be ignored'

Let me begin with our two biggest neighbours - Pakistan and China. We do have several concerns vis-&agrave;-vis Pakistan and the situation is proving more difficult than anticipated. During the years 2003-2006, India had initiated a series of dialogues with Pakistan under various labels - the most widely discussed being the &lsquo;Comprehensive Dialogue&rsquo; between the Foreign Offices of the two countries, which had several subtexts.

M K Narayanan

M K Narayanan

M K Narayanan

'Ambit of terrorist activities is steadily becoming enlarged'

'India is facing new challenges to security'

'Build public opinion against corruption'

'China emerging as a naval entity cannot be ignored'

'China's ready for risks that most nations avoid'