December 27, 2008	Saturday	Zilhaj 28, 1429

NEW DELHI, Dec 26: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday met the three armed forces chiefs for a second time in a week, but the second meeting had as much to do with a controversial defence pay package as with a review of tensions with Pakistan.

The first publicly confirmed meeting since the Mumbai terror attacks took place on Thursday, and was widely reported to have been an assessment of the current situation by the country’s nuclear command authority which Dr Singh heads.

However, a senior government minister was quoted on Friday as saying that Indian, Pakistani and American media were responsible for creating hype about an imminent war between India and Pakistan.

“Because the prime minister and defence minister met behind close doors, it does not mean that they were discussing anything about war,” Minister of State for Power Jairam Ramesh told reporters in Jaipur.

He added that the media, therefore, should not interpret any such thing.

Mr Ramesh, a former journalist, said it was “ridiculous” to talk about a war and create “an unnecessary alarm” among the people by creating hype even after the prime minister had issued a statement that there was no question of a conflict.

According to Press Trust of India, Mr Ramesh admitted there was some tension along the border but said there was no war-like situation.

He said both India and Pakistan were nuclear-powered and if there was any war, Rajasthan would be first affected and therefore, the media must restrain from creating any hype.

An official statement on Friday’s meeting between Dr Singh and the armed forces’ heads said: “Service matters including the recommendations of the Pay Commission were discussed and the prime minister was briefed on the prevailing security situation.”