Violating borders?: India denies hunting minerals in Rann of Kutch, Khar

ISLAMABAD:

New Delhi has denied Islamabad’s concerns about an Indian-led attempt to explore natural resources around Sir Creek border, a 100 kilometre strip of water that is disputed between the neighbors in the Rann of Kutch marshlands, informed Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar to the Senate on Thursday.

“We took up the issue, but the Indian government denied reports of such exploration,” said Khar, while responding to a query by Senator Karim Ahmed Khawaja of Pakistan Peoples Party.

However, India is planning to erect a floating fence anchored by submerged metallic meshes along the Sir Creek border area with Pakistan, according to Indian media reports.

Khawaja, whose family resides near the Sir Creek area, informed lawmakers during the Upper House session that India was going to explore natural resources there. “I did not spot the presence of Pakistani security forces in the Sir Creek border upon visiting the area,” he said.

But the foreign minister held that the area was under regular surveillance by Pakistan Maritime Security Agency and also the Pakistan Navy.

Islamabad has a claim on the entire creek as per the Bombay government resolution of 1914 signed between the then government of Sindh and Rao Maharaj, the ruler of the princely state of Kutch.

Kashmir issue

The issue of Indian held Kashmir “cannot derail our commitment to promote peace in the region with India,” said Khar. In a written reply concerning the overall progress on Kashmir issue, she stated that despite the hostile statements issued by the Indian leadership, and aggression by Indian security forces inside Pakistan territory, the leadership had chosen to exercise restraint to keep on track the Pak-India peace process which is essential for normalcy in the region.”

On ceasefire violation, the foreign minister stated that Islamabad is ready to work with United Nations Military Observer Group for India and Pakistan to carry out an independent inquiry into the ceasefire violation. “Terrorism is not only our issue...it plagues the Indians too,” she observed.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 15^th, 2013.