Indian Border Security Force soldiers patrol along the border fence at an outpost along the India-Pakistan border in Abdulian. PHOTO: AFP
Khar, during the Asia Society session in New York, had said that “the doors to dialogue are open.” “We need to meet at any level, I think we need to call each other, we need to become mature countries which know how to handle their truth,” she added.
Khurshid and defence minister AK Antony also briefed the Indian cabinet about the situation following the cross border incursion.
Tensions have flared in the past week after three Pakistani soldiers and two Indian soldiers were killed after India started construction of posts near the LoC, in violation of the ceasefire. Things have not cooled despite a brigadier level meeting between troops on both sides on Sunday.
However, militaries on both sides came out on Wednesday with a public desire to de-escalate tensions.
COMMENTS (16)
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@John B:
Your reply is not inline with what you said earlier.
Any ministerial level talk regarding peace has nothing to do with the expiring age of the related minister/ministry.
Sure you defended yourself by praising your pragmatist approach and your so mature stance against the childish and immature. But next time try to stay focused when replying back to someone.
very best photo gallery. I wants to 1965 India-Pakistan war Schene(full photo gallery)..................... Indian Army is very well and braveior.
BBC is a whimpy organization.
@Asif Butt: I am a pragmatist. I see the world as it is, and I have no qualms in criticizing the childish and immature gibberish from PAK. The asia society meeting was horrible and childish.
When PAK sends out her ambassador, her/his words and actions are reflection of PAK and she / he should command respect between friends and foes alike.
Calling the neighbor as a liar and war monger and asking to come to talk at the same breath and wondering why India threw out PAK delegates in sports and art, and why India closed the VISA window are not only idiotic to the international audiences but it is also disrespectful for the dignity of PAK citizens.
There is a reason why countries select their seasoned politicians / statesman as their top diplomates.
Besides, she has no power in decision making and a spokesperson without a portfolio is not the person to negotiate with in international matters.
@Sajid Iqbal: "I was initially in favor of MFN and business with India, but I am shocked to see India’s attitude. I will never do business with a neighbor that is ready to go to war for no obvious reasonI"
Not once did any Indian leader - civil or military threaten war. The strongest statement that came was from Indian COAS who said India would respond aggressively IF Pakistan provoked.
MFN is not a favour Pakistan is doing. IT is something obligatory as a member of WTO since 1996 (when India already gave MFN to Pakistan) and India could have taken Pakkstan to WTO and forced it do give India MFN. Instead, India ignored Pakistan's non-compliance. In 2011 when Pakistan wanted India to lift its objection on EU trade benefits to Pakistan per WTO rules, Pakistan promised MFN as a quid pro quo. India did its part as an honourable country and Pakistan refuses to fulfill its part of the bargain 14 months later.
Presence of MFN does not mean any Pakistani businessman is required to do business with Indian businessman. It just means that rules governing any trade between India and Pakistan will be the same as govern the trade of Pakistan with other countries.
When the BBC itself begins saying India is raising rhetorics then one should definitely ask questions.
Step-by-step approach, in other words: two arduous steps forward, ten sliding steps backward! Keeping the sentiments of Indians and Pakistanis aside, the real people concerned i.e. the Kashmiris are sick and fed of the dreadful situation in their valley. The young generation is embittered and angry and use abusive language for both India and Pakistan.
@John B:
John B , it must be so easy for you to sound like a kid.
The peace process has nothing to do with ministers ,governments or tenures.
Its got to do with the will of people at both sides of the border.
And its only natural for Bangalis to read such comments and rejoice over it ...
Truth is that india allway want no peace with pakistan,forindian point ofview he is superpower usa and pakistan is poor weak afganistan
@B: You are grossly unaware of the intricacies and power politics that the 'Establishment' and this so-called 'Civilian' government exercise over each other. The people of Pakistan are mere spectators, none of these actors care for them or their interests, just their own. Equally, the Pakistani populace, being illiterate and embarrassingly gullible (i.e. the vast majority) as a result dance to their tunes. It would be prudent, if you are interested in Pakistan, to read 'Pakistan: A Hard Country' by Anatol Lieven. The same games are played in India, albeit more 'democratically' without overt military interference.
@asim: "there not interested in peace."
The DGMO on both sides have already talked and the LOC has calmed down. As for the larger peace initiative, the heart of it is trust. HRK needs to understand that words cannot bridge the trust deficit that actions create. The message appears to be that India will pay more attention to actions than words going forward.
Also her dragging Manmohan Singh and referring to his corruption in a speech in New York (no one in India has accused him personally of corruption by the way) was unwarranted and must have also been noted by the Indian government. Can you imagine Salman Khurshid making irresponsible statements about Zardari or Ashraf's corruption in New York?
In any event as @John B says there is no point in discussions with someone who may not even be a minister in a month's time. Better to talk to the new elected government.
I was initially in favor of MFN and business with India, but I am shocked to see India's attitude. I will never do business with a neighbor that is ready to go to war for no obvious reason.
It is not ture that India does not wants peace. People of Pakistan are the problem.They do not want their establishment to be under the Civilian Government, The day they wake up to this fact, Pakistan will come out of its problems
@John B, well thought comment. Good one !
When she returns she may not even have a portfolio ! March 16 is around the corner. So, there is no point in ministerial level talk.
there not interested in peace.