NEW DELHI – Indian Defence Minister while responding to Pakistan Army Chiefremarks has said that any comment from Islamabad calling for peace betweenthe two countries will be taken seriously by India.
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Monday in the backdrop of thePakistan Army chief favouring talks to resolve lingering disputes.
The minister also said the armed forces will “fully honour” thegovernment’s decision not to launch any operations in Jammu and Kashmirduring the holy month of Ramzan.
“Any comment on wanting peace will definitely be taken seriously,”Sitharaman told reporters on the sidelines of an event when asked aboutPakistan Army’s recent indication of supporting peaceful resolution ofdisputes between the two countries through talks.
Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa had said last month that apeaceful resolution of disputes, including Kashmir, would be possiblethrough talks between the two countries.
His comments came amid the impression, persisting for decades, that thePakistan Army was not supportive of talks with India.
Asked about the recent incidents of ceasefire violations by Pakistan andwhether India would stick to its decision to not launch any operation inJammu and Kashmir during Ramzan, Sitharaman said the armed forces willabide by what was announced by the Centre.
“We shall fully honour the policy which the Home Ministry on behalf of thegovernment of India announced. The policy has clearly laid out how it isgoing to pan out and we shall abide by everything that was announced,”Sitharaman said on the sidelines of a seminar on artificial intelligence.
Speaking at the seminar, she underlined the need for incorporating AIapplications in the Army, Navy and the Air Force.
She said AI can also be utilised in checking chemical, biological andnuclear weapons as well as keeping a vigil on outer space.
The Pakistan Rangers resorted to unprovoked firing and shelling along theInternational Border (IB) in Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir last night.
In a major decision, the Home Ministry announced last week Wednesday thatsecurity forces will not launch any operations in Jammu and Kashmir duringRamzan but reserve the right to retaliate if attacked.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and opposition NationalConference leader Omar Abdullah welcomed the Centre’s decision.