India not keen on holding Secy-level talks with Pak

India has indicated its disinclination towards holding Indo-Pak Secretary-level talks anytime soon as it said dialogue can only proceed in an environment free of violence and terror.

It also asked Pakistan to uphold the sanctity of loC, saying it was the “most important Confidence Building Measure” between the two countries. Asked about India’s stand over the Pakistani proposal suggesting dates for Secretary-level talks, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said India did receive last month proposals for some Secretary-level dialogue which were to be hosted by Pakistan. “(But) For peaceful dialogue to proceed we need an environment free of violence and terror,” he said, adding Pakistan should not allow its territory to be used against anti-India activities.

Pakistan has suggested August 27-28 for the Wullar Barrage meeting between the water and power secretaries and September 16-17 for the Sir Creek maritime boundary issue.India had earlier welcomed the offer of friendship with a caveat that Pakistan must not harbour terrorists.In contrast to these peace overtures and frantic diplomatic exchanges the situation on the ground remains unchanged. It is going from bad to worse with every passing day as Pakistani Army is not paying heed to the ceasefire agreement and violating the same with impunity.

In the last three days alone a total of nine ceasefire violations have been reported from the Pakistani side and large number of villagers have also come under the line of fire on the Indian side.The latest unprovoked firing which started  along the loC late Monday night went on till 6.00 am on Tuesday in Mendhar battalion area of Poonch. At least five forward Indian posts were targeted in the Mendhar sector of Poonch, official sources said.

Pakistan troops also fired at Indian positions along the IB in Ramgarh area of Samba sector.“The Pakistani Rangers opened unprovoked fire targeting the Indian post at Narayanpur in Ramgarh sector in the Samba district at around 0730 hours,” said a BSF spokesperson. He added that the firing lasted for about 15 minutes but our troops retaliated effectively.