'Prove sincerity' before formalising ceasefire accord: Congress to Basit

The Congress party on Wednesday said Pakistan should first prove its sincerity in wanting a dialogue with India and stop repeated border violations or the promotion of terrorism before demanding formalization of the November 2003 ceasefire agreement.

Rejecting Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit's suggestion categorically, Congress leader P.C. Chacko told ANI, "We have a clear stand that terror and talks cannot go together. We are always for discussion. Even after the Bangladesh war, we had the Shimla Agreement, every time a violation took place, it came from their side only. Pakistan should know that the solution lies only in discussion."

In the backdrop of sharp increase in ceasefire violations along the International Border by the Pakistan Rangers, High Commissioner Basit had on Monday called upon India to formalise the 2003 ceasefire agreement before the situation "deteriorates" further.

Basit said it was important to enforce confidence building measures and called the firing at the Line of Control and the International Border an "unnecessary escalation."

"We need to move from symbolism to substance and from conflict management to conflict resolution. If would serve better purpose if we tone down the rhetoric and build new bridges of trust," Basit said at an event in New Delhi.

Pakistan forces have been violating the ceasefire repeatedly in the Jammu region and the Kashmir Valley. There have been a number of casualties and injuries to people as a result.

More than 40 ceasefire violations have been reported in Jammu and Kashmir since India carried out surgical attacks in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) on September 29-30.