India’s expected package of measures to ease tensions with Pakistan is not likely to include any military steps at this stage, a defence ministry source said on Monday.
The source told AFP that any let up of military pressure would only be instituted once India has verified claims by Pakistani President, Pervez Musharraf, that he has reined in Islamic militants.
New Delhi claims the militants are responsible for murderous raids on Indian targets, including its parliament last December.
”There is no point in suddenly letting go of all the military pressure which has been built up over months without evidence of gaining something substantial,” the source said.
US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage announced at the weekend that India would shortly unveil a package of measures designed to ease tension in South Asia, including ”military gestures.”
An Indian government source on Sunday confirmed to AFP that an announcement would be made by New Delhi, probably before the arrival late on Tuesday in the country of heavyweight US envoy, Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.
Western diplomatic sources said the measures could include a redeployment of warships and warplanes and pulling back some troops from the borders, where between them India and Pakistan have mobilised almost a million soldiers.
The Indian government sources said, however, the measures are expected to be only in the diplomatic arena, such as increasing India’s diplomatic representation in Islamabad, lifting a ban on Pakistani aircraft from using Indian airspace and restoring bus and train links.
The hostilities between the two resolute enemies escalated after a militant attack on an Indian army camp in Kashmir on May 14, sparking a fresh round of heavy shelling by their respective troops along their international and de facto borders. – Sapa-AFP