Ceasefire is forward-looking 'new' idea, says India

NEW DELHI, DEC. 8. India today responded to Pakistan's call for ideas to resolve the Kashmir issue by pointing out that the unilateral ceasefire was a positive and forward-looking ``new'' idea.

An External Affairs Ministry spokesman said there had been ``recognisable reduction'' in firing from across the Line of Control (LoC) and attempts at infiltration had not taken place in any ``marked manner''.

``The Prime Minister, Mr. A.B. Vajpayee's initiative, announced on November 19, is very positive and forward-looking and constitutes a new idea.''

He was asked about the Government's response to remarks by the Pakistan Foreign Minister, Mr. Abdul Sattar, that New Delhi come out with ideas to resolve the Kashmir issue if the formulation put forth by Islamabad was not acceptable to it.

In its detailed and calibrated official response to Islamabad's December 2 announcement of observing ``maximum restraint'' along the LoC, India said as initiators, it was ready for ``early'' resumption of the composite dialogue process.

The spokesman said India's approach was towards taking the peace initiative forward and ``we have remained steadfast'' in this. India had consistently held that Islamabad had to stop cross- border terrorism to create the right conditions for resumption of the stalled dialogue.

- PTI

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