After Gen’s vow, US asks India to move

The US would like India to move towards some sort of diplomatic dialogue with Pakistan now that Islamabad has promised a permanent end to in...

The US would like India to move towards some sort of diplomatic dialogue with Pakistan now that Islamabad has promised a permanent end to infiltration across the LoC.

US Secretary of State Colin Powell rang up External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh today to discuss ‘‘the evolving India-Pakistan situation’’. Jaswant told him Musharraf’s assurances to the US on ending infiltration were a ‘‘step forward and in the right direction’’.

	India may take a step back in 2 days: Armitage
Tallinn: US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage said here today India would take steps aimed at de-escalation ‘‘in the next couple of days’’. He hinted at positive comments by Indian officials after his meetings with them: ‘‘It is quite clear there will be some actions on the part of India responding to the messages I brought from Islamabad. So I think quite clearly, at least temporarily, the tensions are down.” ‘‘I understand they are talking about some diplomatic actions which could include the return of some people to diplomatic postings in Islamabad, and some ratcheting down of tension.’’ India also planned to make ‘‘some military gestures as well’’ before Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld arrives there, Armitage said, but did not give details. But he cautioned the crisis over Kashmir was not yet over. ‘‘When you have close to a million men glaring, shouting and occasionally shooting across a territory that is a matter of some dispute, then I think you couldn’t say the crisis is over. But I think you can say the tensions are down measurably,’’ he told reporters before meeting Rumsfeld. Armitage came to the Estonian capital Tallinn to brief Rumsfeld who will visit both countries next week. Reuters Story continues below this ad

While the Centre would study the implementation on the ground, Jaswant emphasised India would ‘‘respond appropriately and positively’’. He also sought to receive an assurance that Musharraf would dismantle terrorist camps inside Pakistan.

New Delhi is aware that it might likely be accused of ‘‘shifting the goalposts’’. So over the weekend it would think over various diplomatic and non-diplomatic measures — short of demobilising the Army at the border — to help start a dialogue process.

The non-diplomatic measures include de-alerting the Army and the Air Force and pulling back Navy ships from forward positions. Sources insisted that demobilisation would not happen, at least not until J-K elections.

The diplomatic measures include exchange of high commissioners, resizing the mission strength, and allowing flights over Indian territory. The ban on air, train and bus travel, however, may take more time to go.

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US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage left Delhi today with the assurance that New Delhi would respond to Musharraf’s promise of ending infiltration. The Centre may meet on Monday to decide on the steps it should take by the time US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld arrives here on Tuesday.

A quick and appropriate response to the US request is being pushed to prevent Musharraf from getting an alibi over divisions in New Delhi and any inability to respond. When Rumsfeld flies for Pakistan, he could leave with some sort of a roadmap for reducing tensions.

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