VARIOUS: INDIAN LEADERS HAVE SAID THERE HAS BEEN NO SUBSTANTIAL DROP IN INFILTRATION BY PAKISTAN-BASED MILITANTS INTO INDIAN KASHMIR
Record ID:
640591
VARIOUS: INDIAN LEADERS HAVE SAID THERE HAS BEEN NO SUBSTANTIAL DROP IN INFILTRATION BY PAKISTAN-BASED MILITANTS INTO INDIAN KASHMIR
- Title: VARIOUS: INDIAN LEADERS HAVE SAID THERE HAS BEEN NO SUBSTANTIAL DROP IN INFILTRATION BY PAKISTAN-BASED MILITANTS INTO INDIAN KASHMIR
- Date: 6th June 2002
- Summary: (W3) ALMATY, KAZAKHSTAN (JUNE 5, 2002) (REUTERS) SLV INDIAN PRIME MINISTER ATAL BEHARI VAJPAYEE ENTERS PRESS HALL / MV JOURNALISTS (2 SHOTS) (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) VAJPAYEE, SAYING "If Pakistan decides it will not support infiltration, then both countries can work on a mechanism for joint patrolling. The issue of joint patrolling has been discussed earlier (and) then both countries can accept it. "The region is mountainous, terrain inaccessible and for a third country to come to verify (the situation) is neither practical nor necessary." SLV PRESS HALL
- Embargoed: 21st June 2002 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: ALMATY, KAZAKHSTAN / BANGALORE, KARNATAKA, KARGIL, JAMMU AND KASHMIR, INDIA
- City:
- Country: Kazakhstan India
- Topics: International Relations
- Reuters ID: LVA48NI7MZ57YXZWG0XRT3H8DMO8
- Story Text: Indian leaders have said there had been no substantial drop in infiltration by Pakistan-based militants into Indian Kashmir and called on Pakistan to act on its pledges to crack down on the militants.
The comments came as nuclear-powers India and Pakistan traded heavy fire across the line of control in Kashmir.
Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee said on Wednesday (June 5, 2002) that Pakistan must act on pledges to crack down on Islamic militants blamed by New Delhi for attacks on India before New Delhi could ease its stand-off with Islamabad.
He told a news conference in Almaty that Pakistan must end infiltration across the line of control into Indian Kashmir and dismantle militant camps on the Pakistani side.
This had to happen before India could consider taking its own steps, he said.
Pakistan has already said there is no infiltration across the line of control, a military boundary dividing Kashmir into Pakistan and Indian-controlled areas.
This has been interpreted by some observers as a promise to rein in militants.
Vajpayee said "cross-border terrorism" had to end before India could begin talks with Pakistan. "India and Pakistan have held talks earlier. We are not against dialogue."
He also said he did not oppose joint patrols of the border in Kashmir if Pakistan fulfilled its pledges to end infiltration.
"If Pakistan decides it will not support infiltration, then both countries can work on a mechanism for joint patrolling," he said. "The issue of joint patrolling has been discussed earlier (and) then both countries can accept it."
But he excluded any third country involvement to verify Pakistan's statement it had halted infiltration. "The region is mountainous, terrain inaccessible and for a third country to come to verify (the situation) is neither practical nor necessary."
Indian Defence Minister George Fernandes also said on Wednesday there had been no substantial drop in infiltration by Pakistan-based militants into Indian Kashmir.
"Whatever information has so far been coming, it does not indicate there has been any substantial or noticeable reduction in infiltration," Fernandes told reporters after a meeting organised by the defence ministry with members of parliament.
Fernandes dismissed speculations that nuclear war could break out in South Asia as irresponsible.
"Please for God's sake, take the advice of General Musharraf that anybody who talks of nuclear strike is either mad or is stupid or is irresponsible. I am again saying that one should not discuss nuclear in the manner in which all of you are getting excited," Fernandes said.
He said India has a nuclear doctrine which states that the country will stick by its policy of no first use of nuclear weapons.
The nuclear-armed neighbours are locked in a military standoff over the disputed region of Kashmir that has brought them to the brink of war.
Meanwhile the nuclear-armed neighbours traded mortar shells and heavy firing along the ceasefire line in Kargil sector of India's restive Jammu and Kashmir state. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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