NEW DELHI, Jan 16:
Top military commanders of India and Pakistan today agreed not to allow escalation of tensions along the Line of Control (LoC) with the Pakistan Army asking its troops to observe ceasefire strictly and exercise restraint.
The ways to defuse the tension on the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir, which was triggerred by the brutal killing of two Indian soldiers by the Pakistan Army, were discussed during a telephonic conversation between the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of the two sides.
The Army here said the talks lasted for ten minutes starting 10 AM and during this there was also an understanding not to allow the situation to escalate.
Pakistan Army DGMO conveyed that orders have been passed to troops to strictly observe the ceasefire and exercise restraint, the Army Headquarters said.
Meanwhile, in Islamabad, the state-run Pakistan Radio claimed the country’s DGMO lodged a strong protest with his Indian counterpart over killing of a Pakistani soldier.
Earlier in the day, Army chief Gen Bikram Singh rejected Pakistani allegations that Indian troops had crossed the LoC and indulged in unprovoked firing, saying any casualty on the other side may have been due to retaliatory firing.
“Our jawans don’t cross LoC. We honour human rights. We fire in retaliation when provoked,” he said in Khairiar in Uttar Pradesh after meeting the family of Lance Naik Hemraj who was beheaded by Pakistani soldiers in a cross-LoC attack in Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir on January 8.
Responding to the Pakistani charge that one of its soldiers was killed in “unprovoked firing” along the LoC, the Army chief said it may have happened during cross-firing.
“These are normal activities that take place at the LoC. We have retaliated in response to cross-firing,” he said.
Replying to questions, Singh said “the relationship (between the two countries) is got to be seen on what has been going on at the border”.
The Pakistan Army had alleged Indian troops had violated the ceasefire along the LoC late last night and “carried out unprovoked firing” in Hotspring and Jandrot sectors.
On the possibility of getting back the head of Hemraj, which was taken away by Pakistani soldiers, the Army chief said efforts are being made to get it back.
Singh, however, refused to respond to Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar’s statement that the Indian Army chief’s comments were “provocative”, saying he was yet to read the statement.
He met the family of Hemraj and offered his condolences. He assured them that all their requirements will be met.
Meanwhile, the three Services chiefs met in the evening to discuss issues including the construction of a national war memorial at India Gate and the setting up of a national defence university at Gurgaon near here.
Meanwhile, in a clear message that current strain could impact trade ties, India today told Pakistan economic engagement can be enhanced in an environment of peace and stability and asserted “anything which undermines that environment is not conducive” for economic relations.
The remarks by Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma came a day after Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh’s tough message to Pakistan that it cannot be “business as usual” in the aftermath of the beheading of an Indian soldier on the Line of Control last week.
Sharma’s comments, ahead of the Annual Partnership Summit to be held in Agra from January 27, also assume significance given the fact that no bilateral meeting is scheduled between Sharma and his Pakistani counterpart Makhdoom Amin Fahim, who is travelling to India for the business meet.
“As of now, we have not given any consideration to this matter in a negative sense. (But) yes, what has happened is horrific, its unacceptable, highly provocative. And this is for Pakistan to realise that where the well being of the economy of the country lies,” Sharma told reporters here.
The Minister was asked whether he believes that the recent development along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir could impact bilateral trade ties.
The economic engagement can be enhanced only in an environment of peace and stability and there was no other way forward for this region, he said and asserted that “anything which undermines that environment is not conducive”.
Demanding that Islamabad should take action against those who are responsible for brutal killing of Indian soldiers, he said,”…That would be in Pakistan’s own interest, not only for bilateral relations but its global image as a responsible nation state.”
Meanwhile, official sources have indicated that the 10- member Pakistan business delegation, which was supposed to participate in the Annual Partnership Summit in Agra, has cancelled its visit. This comes in the backdrop of increasing tensions between the two countries.
However, Pakistan Commerce Minister Fahim and Secretary Munir Qureshi have confirmed their participation in the three -day summit, organised by CII, Commerce and Industry Ministry and Uttar Pradesh Government.
In Islamabad, Amjad Baloch, Staff Officer to the Commerce Minister, denied that Fahim has called off the visit.
He told that a formal proposal regarding the visit of the Minister and Commerce Secretary has been sent to the Prime Minister’s Office.
The bilateral trade between the countries stood at about USD two billion in 2011-12. (PTI)
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