NEW DELHI, Sept 10: Border guards of India and Pakistan today agreed to end ceasefire violations by devising new strategies like joint patrolling in some areas along the International Border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir as their chiefs met here against the backdrop of escalation in tensions.
On the first day of the talks between Directors General of BSF and Pakistan Rangers, the two sides decided to have a positive outlook for the future while blaming each other for initiating incidents of ceasefire violations.
The meeting between the DGs of border guards took place as per an agreement between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistan counterpart Nawaz Sharif in Ufa in July and despite the cancellation of the NSA talks last month. Such a meeting is being held after a gap of 21 months.
During the talks today, both sides agreed that it would serve no purpose if talks hovered about the past and rather focus should be on future and devising mechanism to prevent any escalation of tension along the border.
“The most significant takeaway of the talks has been that the two sides agreed that maintenance of peace and tranquillity on this border is the most important issue and this needs to be implemented on the ground,” officials said.
After the day-long talks, BSF chief D K Pathak, who led the Indian side, expressed happiness over the deliberations.
“I wouldn’t say anything beyond that the talks went on in a very cordial manner and we are happy about it… Talks are meant to end the animosity and I am very happy with talks. It has progressed in a positive atmosphere,” Pathak said.
Sources said the Indian side suggested that rather than debating and contesting about the past incidents, the two sides should work on a “future” strategy to make this border peaceful and safe for the troops and civilians alike.
“Pakistan agreed to this point and after some more positive talks it was mutually decided that the session should be extended by a day,” they said.
The Rangers, led by their DG (Punjab) Umar Farooq Burki, suggested initiation of joint patrolling along some mutually identified areas on this border which was agreed to by India, officials said.
Sources said the Rangers “did not bring on table” the issue of activation of the UNMOGIP (UN Military Observer Group in Indian and Pakistan) for monitoring the border situation.
These much-awaited talks are happening amidst escalating tensions and continuing cases of ceasefire violations along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir. The last talks between BSF and Rangers was held in December 2013.
The preliminary talks, which were to conclude today, will now carry on for another session tomorrow after which both the sides will sign minutes of the meeting on September 12 before returning to Pakistan.
The continuation of talks ahead of the signing of minutes, known as ‘joint record of discussions’ in the diplomatic parlance, was considered as an encouraging development which is aimed to “discuss and finalise” new protocols and strategies.
According to itinerary, the Pakistani Rangers are scheduled to call on Home Minister Rajnath Singh tomorrow and later meet officials of the Pakistan High Commission.
“Yes, the talks have been extended for a day and a special session will be held tomorrow to decide on protocols that will be put in place to put an end to ceasefire violations and make the Indo-Pak border tranquil,” they said.
Earlier, Rangers DG Maj Gen Burki was accorded a guard of honour at the border guarding forces’ headquarters here and later welcomed by Pathak and other senior officers prior to the formal commencement of the deliberations taking place after December 2013 when BSF went to Lahore.
The Pakistani delegation, which had reached Delhi last evening via Amritsar, includes officials of Sindh Rangers, the country’s Interior Ministry, Survey of Pakistan, Anti- Narcotics Force and Immigration Department, among others.
This is the first high-level interaction between the two countries after the National Security Adviser (NSA)-level talks scheduled in Delhi on August 23-24 were cancelled due to differences over the agenda.
The issue of “no response” by the other side when BSF raises the ‘white flag’ that is used to indicate suspension of firing to allow a meeting of on-ground commanders of the two sides was also taken up and it was decided to have more channels of communication between field commanders, the sources said.
“The confidence building measures would be finalised tomorrow and jointly signed by their two DGs on September 12,” one of the sources said.
BSF is also understood to have taken up the issue of intrusion into the ‘Harami Nallah’ area in the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat, and illegal movement of suspects up to the ‘zero line’ area along the IB, at many times in the dead of the night.
“Pakistan said it is doing its best with available resources and infrastructure it has and will also improve it to keep an effective vigil on the border,” the source said.
When the other side raised the issue of air space violation, the BSF said it was not their domain as they do not have any air assets.
“Much of the talking was done by the Indian side and the Pakistani side was very receptive,” the source said.
After day-long deliberations, visiting Pakistan Rangers’ delegation today got a slice of Indian culture with a melange of soulful ‘sufiana’ music and sumptuous Indian cuisine.
The 16-member delegation, led by their Director General Maj Gen Umar Farooq Burki, was hosted for the gala evening at a beautiful Border Security Force camp with Humayun’s tomb forming the background.
Artistes performed various dance forms like Kathak followed by Punjabi folk songs rendered by famous singer Hans Raj Hans.
A ‘sufiana’ musical treat, with a dash of popular Hindi film songs, wrapped up the treat hosted by the BSF at the end of the first day of DG-level talks between the two sides.
Sources said Indian delicacies, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian, prepared by a team of the best chefs of the paramilitary force were later served to the guests.
The Rangers will meet Home Minister Rajnath Singh at his office tomorrow after which they will sit for another round of talks with their Indian counterparts.
After signing a joint record of discussions on September 12, the visitors will leave for their country the same day.
India and Pakistan today began a three-day DG-level border dialogue here weeks after parleys between the NSAs of the two countries was called off. (PTI)
Follow our WhatsApp channel