Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
New Delhi, India today stuck to its tough stance on ceasefire violations by Pakistan by asking it to end the present “adventurism” but made it clear that it has “no fear of talks”.
Observing that while the new Indian government was serious about bilateral dialogue in a peaceful atmosphere, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Syed Akabaruddin said what Pakistan gave in return was media spectacle before exploratory foreign secretary-level talks, hostile propaganda against India at the international level, continued terrorism and more recently violence against citizens on international boundary.
“And therefore, we are in a mood that we will respond appropriately. It is for Pakistan to either escalate or de- escalate. We will be respond appropriately to what will be their efforts in this regard,” he said, while asserting that Pakistan and its security force need to end the present “adventurism” along the International border and Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir.
India also demanded that peace and tranquillity along the IB and LoC need to be completely restored so that the civilian populations can return to their homes.
Asked if India will respond in any other way, he said what has been responded to is a befitting reply and added that “while we will not talk out of fear, we have no fear of talks”.
The Indo-Pak border has witnessed heavy firing for nine days that has left eight persons dead and injured nearly 90 people, including 13 security men. Besides over 32,000 people have fled from their homes leaving 113 border hamlets.
On Pakistan alleging that India started the ceasefire violations, the Spokesperson said the allegations were being made by those who harboured al-Qaida chief Osama Bin Laden for over a decade at a military garrison town inside Pakistan while telling their western partners who provided them assistance and military aid that they were supporting the global war on counter-terrorism against al-Qaida.
The MEA Spokesperson did not comment on reports of de- escalation in firing along the borders.
On Pakistan’s attempt to seek UN intervention by lodging protest with the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP), the Spokesperson said, the Shimla Agreement and Lahore declaration provided clear framework on how to resolve outstanding bilateral issues and there was no role for third party intervention.
They also provide the framework for peaceful and cooperative bilateral relationship, he said.
“UNMOGIP performs no practical function…. As far as we are concerned, the tools of bygone era are not going to resolve issues that we confront today,” the Spokesperson added.
