In a stern warning to Pakistan, India on Sunday said that there can be no dialogue with Islamabad if violations of ceasefire continue along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir.
“If repeated ceasefire violations take place then the environment for dialogue suffers,” said Indian Defence Minister Arun Jaitley at the India Global Forum meeting.
“We will welcome dialogue but the environment for dialogue has to be created by both countries. One of them cannot upset the environment and then ask why dialogue is not taking place,” said Jaitley.
The dialogue process was derailed after Pakistan envoy met Kashmiri leaders just a day before scheduled foreign secretary-level talks in August.
“When we (wanted to) further the discussions (after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s swearing-in invitation to Pakistan), it was through foreign secretary dialogue. But this was responded to by an immediate invite to the ‘separatists’ particularly keeping in mind elections in J&K at the doorsteps. We found this completely unacceptable,” said the Indian minister.
Admitting that though there are issues in Kashmir, Jaitley said the valley has been by and large peaceful. “We are expecting peaceful elections in the valley notwithstanding efforts to disturb the environment.”
He also praised the Indian armed forces for showing exemplary courage in rescue and relief operations during the recent floods in the state.
With regard to the border issue in the eastern region, Jaitley said India is keen to expediting the process to resolve the matter.
“As far as China is concerned, our economic relationship continues to grow, there are a lot of mutual investments in both countries and there is trade between two countries,” said Jaitley, who also hold the portfolio of finance minister.
“But we have a pending issue of settlement of boundary and we hope the commission appointed in 2003 for the purpose will complete its objective expeditiously. We (will) continue to have a meaningful dialogue with them (China),” he added.