Type: Parliament Questions and Answers

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:-

(a) whether certain acts by Pakistan on the border are affecting the Indo-Pak diplomatic relations;

(b) if so, whether the Government has lodged its strong protest with the Government of Pakistan;

(c) if so, the details thereof along with the reaction of the Government of Pakistan;

(d) whether the Government has reviewed the situation and arrived at a consensus on confidence building process with Pakistan;

(e) if so, the details thereof;

(f) the outcome of the high level meeting that took place with Pakistan`s External Affairs Minister recently; and (g) the steps taken by the Government to reduce the tension along the border with the Government of Pakistan?

ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI E. AHAMED)

(a) to (c) Government deplored the gravely provocative and repugnant acts of the killing of two Indian soldiers and the barbaric mutilation of their bodies by the Pakistan Army near the Line of Control in the Mendhar sector on January 8, and has called upon the Government of Pakistan to carry out a proper investigation of this unacceptable action and ensure that this does not recur. It has also been conveyed that Pakistan should not believe that its brazen denial and lack of proper response will be ignored and that bilateral relations could be unaffected or that there will be business as usual.

(d) to (g) Government will continue to take all necessary steps to ensure the security and territorial integrity of the nation, and to uphold the sanctity of the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan must on its part abide by its commitments under the Simla Agreement which includes abjuring violence and respecting the sanctity of the Line of Control. In the context of the recent incidents along the LoC Pakistan has made propagandist suggestions for investigations by a third party and bilateral talks may be at the Foreign Ministers level. Government is of the view that practical steps need to be taken to strengthen the sanctity of the Line of Control for which the well established mechanism of contacts between the Director Generals of Military Operations must be fully utilized.

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Pakistan
South Asia