INCURSION 2 LAST

Kapoor, however, said there was "no special concern"
over the Chinese incursion along the LAC as it is due to
differing perceptions about the border line.

He also said there was no increase in such incidents
as indicated in media reports and that the number of incidents
remained the same as last year.

However, he did not give the number of incursions
reported this year.

The army chief also denied reports of Indian and
Chinese Army personnel exchanging fire along the LAC in
Sikkim. "There was no firing incident (along the LAC in
Sikkim). There is nothing to worry about," he added.

Asked if India needed a Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)
as recommended by the Kargil Review Committee in early 2000,
Kapoor said it is better if India had a CDS.

"It is better India has a CDS. I hope the government
finds the appropriate time to have a CDS. It is in the
interest of Armed Forces, if we shift to the (CDS) system,"
he said.

To a query if he met the Pakistan Army Chief in Tokyo
during Pacific Army Commanders Conference early this month,
Kapoor said there was no representative from the neighbouring
country during the meet even though there were invited.PTI