DHAKA: India and Pakistan on Tuesday decided to strengthen border de-escalatory mechanisms, which includes the holding of flag meetings between rival brigade commanders, to ensure the maintenance of ‘sanctity and ceasefire’ on the line of control (LoC).

Indian director general of military operations (DGMO) Lt General Vinod Bhatia and his Pakistani counterpart Major General Aamer Riaz also agreed to make the existing hotline between them ‘more effective and result-oriented’ as well as inform each other if ‘innocent civilians inadvertently crossed the LoC’ to ensure their ‘early return’, reports The Times of India.

In a joint statement after the two-and-a-half hour long meeting, the two DGMOs stressed their ‘resolve and commitment to continue efforts for ensuring ceasefire, peace and tranquillity’ on the LoC.

But while Pakistan may be hopeful of an early resumption of the stalled composite dialogue process, it`s unlikely to happen with India headed for general elections in early-2014.

The statement said two flag meetings between brigade commanders would be held ‘in the near future — probably in the Bimbergali and Kishnaghati sectors — to carry forward the positive spirit’ of the DGMO-level meeting, the first such face-to-face one since the 1999 Kargil conflict.

BDST: 2049 HRS, DEC 24, 2013
Edited by Robab Rosan, Current Affairs Editor