New Delhi/Jaipur: India yesterday welcomed the “positive statements” coming from Pakistan on talks to defuse tensions and said the border flare-ups of the past 10 days, including the January 8 brutal killing of two Indian soldiers, would not undermine their peace process.
The statement by External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid came even as Congress president and ruling United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi said India was for close relations with neighbours but the dialogue must be based on “accepted principles of civilized behaviour”.
A day after Pakistan Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar offered talks at the foreign ministers level to defuse the stand-off, the country’s envoy in New Delhi Salman Bashir condemned the January 8 killing of two Indian soldiers, including the beheading of one, and said their respective armies should probe the incident.
But he stated: “We are absolutely clear, that at no point in time did Pakistani forces cross the LoC”.
In an interview to NDTV news channel, Bashir, taking note of the stern Indian stance, said: “Unfortunately, I must say that it has almost become fashionable, that Pakistan-bashing has become fashionable whenever there is an issue.”
India maintains that Pakistani forces killed and beheaded Naik Hemraj Singh, whose head is still missing, and killed and mutilated Lance Naik Sudhakar Singh 600 metres inside Indian territory on the LoC that divides Kashmir between India and Pakistan.
Addressing the Congress party’s ‘Chintan Shivir’ in Jaipur, Gandhi said closer relations with immediate neighbours would promote regional peace, but in a tough posture, added: “However, let us be clear. Our dialogue must be based on accepted principles of civilized behaviour. We will never compromise on our vigil and preparedness to deal with terrorism and threats on our borders.”
Khurshid, speaking in Jaipur, said India would give an “appropriate response” to the Pakistan offer of talks. He said the matter would come up for discussion at the three-day Congress Chintan Shivir.
India has not yet responded to Pakistan’s offer for talks, an informed source said.
The India-Pakistan border has been peaceful since Wednesday after their respective armies decided to adhere to the 2003 ceasefire and exercise restraint.
IANS
