India, Pakistan have real concerns about each other: Daily

There are "very real concerns" that New Delhi has when it comes to Pakistan's policy on India and the same holds true for Islamabad too, a leading Pakistani daily said Saturday.

"...there are very real concerns that New Delhi has when it comes to Pakistan's policy on India. But there are also very real concerns that Pakistan has when it comes to India, even if they gain less traction internationally," said an editorial in the Dawn that appeared Saturday, a day after a lull in cross-border firing.

At a National Security Committee meeting held Friday, Prime Minister "Nawaz Sharif was right in emphasising that the desire to seek peace does not mean a willingness to accept violence", the daily said.

"Neither Pakistan nor India is willing to concede an inch on who is to blame, with both countries steadfastly maintaining that each country's border forces were merely responding to attacks from the other side," the editorial added.

The editorial asked: "What is the point and purpose of the Indian government led by Narendra Modi when it comes to issuing bellicose statements on Pakistan and Kashmir?"

"Modi's foreign ministry cancelled talks with Pakistan at the foreign secretary level in August, but to what end?"

However, the NSC meeting brought together the political and military leadership of Pakistan and "yet nothing harsh, fierce or unreasonable" was said.

The editorial went on to say that Pakistan must "do more when it comes to responding to not just Indian allegations, but also international concerns about the militancy threat emanating from Pakistan".

"A more forthcoming and peaceable Indian response is needed," it added.