Pakistan, India view border escalations ‘setback’ for dialogue

Pakistan and India came up with a unanimous view that the on-going escalations along Line of Control in the disputed Kashmir region has derailed efforts for resumption of dialogue process.  

Forces of both countries routinely trade fire that causes casualties and increased tensions between the uneasy nuclear neighbours. 

Both accuse each other of violating the 2003 ceasefire along the LoC that divides the two countries in Kashmir region.

Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Security & Foreign Affairs, Mr. Sartaj Aziz Tuesday received the Indian High Commissioner, Dr. T.C.A Raghavan and both discussed the impact of the LoC tensions on the bilateral relations.

“Both sides had to show maturity and move forward in a positive manner to resolve outstanding issues and put in a place a sustainable dialogue process,” Sartaj Aziz during the meeting, the Foreign Ministry said.

The Adviser stressed the importance of resuming the bilateral dialogue process and reiterated Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s commitment for normalizing relations with India.

He stated that there had been great hope within the present government of picking up the threads from the Lahore Declaration of 1999, when then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee visited Pakistan, and embark upon a new phase of Pakistan-India relations.

“The tension along the LoC seemed to have derailed this process which was unfortunate,” the Pakistani Advisor said. He believed that the Indian media’s over-reaction to the LoC incident had also not helped.  

High Commissioner Raghavan also viewed the LoC incident as a “setback” in the dialogue process.

“Adding that while there was a feeling in India, also to continue to engage with Pakistan, incidents such as the recent one on the LoC raised doubts on Pakistan’s sincerity.”

He felt that both countries needed to work towards forging a common policy on combating terrorism that would help in allaying many misperceptions that existed, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

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Posted by Tahir Khan on Sep 3 2013. Filed under Latest News, National, Pakistan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.