Chief of Army Staff General Deepak Kapoor on Saturday sought to allay Pakistan’s apprehensions over the positioning of troops along its border by asserting that India was never a threat to its neighbour.

“It’s their own perception of threat, but India has never been a threat to Pakistan despite having superior forces,” the Army Chief said, reacting to a recent statement made by Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari on troop deployment along the border.

“We on our side like to live as peaceful neighbours,” he told newsmen at the Combined Graduation Parade of the Indian Air Force cadets at the Air Force Academy at Dindigul near here. General Kapoor was the reviewing officer at the parade.

Kapoor said adequate troops were positioned along the border with Pakistan. “We will be happy if Pakistan fights terror not only on its western borders but also on the eastern border (India).” To a question on China, the Army Chief said, “We have reasonably good relations with that country and there is no question of any kind of threat.”