Days after Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa favoured talks to resolve outstanding issues between the two countries, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday said any such comment will be taken “seriously” by India. She also said the armed forces will “fully honour” the recent decision to halt anti-militancy operations in Jammu & Kashmir during the holy month of Ramzan.

Pakistan Army is the most powerful institution in that country and has a major say in the defence and foreign policy. Perceived to be hawkish in its stance with India, Bajwa’s comments a few weeks back calling for a dialogue came as a surprise.

Addressing the passing out parade of cadets at the Pakistan Army Academy, he said peaceful resolution of disputes between India and Pakistan including the core issue of Kashmir can be found through comprehensive and meaningful dialogue.

“While such dialogue is no favour to any party, it remains the inevitable precursor to peace across the region. Pakistan remains committed to such a dialogue, but only on the basis of sovereign equality, dignity and honour,” he said.

When asked to respond to his remarks, Sitharaman said here on the sidelines of a seminar on artificial intelligence (AI), “Any comment on wanting peace will definitely be taken seriously.”

Incidentally, for the first time in the history of Pakistan, senior Indian military officials and diplomats posted in Islamabad attended the military parade to mark the Pakistan Day. The Pakistan Army invited Indian defence attaché and senior diplomats for the function on March 23.

Meanwhile, when asked about the recent incidents of ceasefire violations by Pakistan and whether India will stick to its decision to not launch any operation in Jammu & Kashmir during Ramzan, Sitharaman said the armed forces will abide by the decision.

“We shall fully honour the policy which the Home Ministry on behalf of the government of India announced. The policy has clearly laid out how it is going to pan out and we shall abide by everything that was announced,” the minister said. Her reiteration came in the backdrop of continuing cross-border firing by Pakistan Rangers along the International Border in some districts of Jammu for the last few days.

Addressing the seminar, she underlined the need for incorporating AI applications in the Army, Navy and the Air Force. The Minister said AI can also be utilised in checking chemical, biological and nuclear weapons as well as keeping a vigil on outer space.

Courtesy: The Pioneer, Tuesday, 22 May 2018 | PNS | New Delhi