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No to foreign troops, yes to sensors along LoC: India

Josy Joseph in New Delhi

The Cabinet Committee on Security on Friday decided against the proposal for an international patrolling force along the Line of Control, while accepting the American offer of ground sensors for monitoring infiltration.

"There is no proposal for any other forces from any other country other than Indian forces to be on the LoC," External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh said after the CCS meeting.

However, Singh said India would take technological assistance, such as ground sensors offered by the US, for stepping up its monitoring of the Line of Control for infiltration.

"There was a proposal about sensors to be placed on the LoC. That is a matter that will now be discussed between the defence ministry and the US government -- the technical parts of it. How it is to be done, who does it... there is no decision on it. The decision is only to study this matter," Singh said.

On the possibility of a dialogue between India and Pakistan, Singh put the responsibility on Pakistan saying it had to create a 'conducive atmosphere' for a dialogue begin between the two countries.

"India always stood for dialogue. India never said we do not wish to hold dialogue. We are ready for a dialogue," Singh said.

The foreign minister hinted that there could be further diplomatic steps as part of attempts to ease tension. He said the present situation was 'pregnant with possibilities', but did not say specifically what steps would be taken.

It is speculated that India would soon announce the formal appointment of Harsh Bhasin as its next high commissioner to Pakistan.

India had withdrawn its High Commissioner Vijay Nambiar after the December 13 attack on Indian Parliament.

India had last week also withdrawn the ban on Pakistani commercial aircraft flying over Indian territory. Besides, over 20 warships of Indian Navy that were on an aggressive patrolling in the North Arabian Sea, close to the Pakistani waters, were also called back to the Mumbai harbour.

Singh said the high level of firing across the Line of Control was related to 'certain developments' between the two countries

When asked if India was thinking of proposing a ceasefire, he said, "Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had announced in November last unilateral moratorium and cessation of hostile activities," adding India would examine all factors before taking any decisions.

The CCS, which met for about two hours to assess the implications of Donald Rumsfeld's visit and proposals, also condemned the bomb attack on Friday morning outside the American consulate in Karachi.

Chaired by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the meeting was attended by Home Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani, Defence Minister George Fernandes, Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha, National Security Adviser Brajesh Mishra and Planning Commission Deputy Chairman K C Pant.

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