NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has told Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in a letter that he was encouraged by a convergence of views in their recent dialogue, but political analysts were also closely watching Saturday’s visit of Defence Minister Arun Jaitley to Srinagar amid allegations of ceasefire violations by Pakistan.

According to reports here, Mr Modi wrote back to his Pakistani counterpart, saying that he looked forward to working closely with him in an atmosphere free of “confrontation and violence” to chart a new course in bilateral relations.

The letter was in response to an earlier one from Mr Sharif in which he said he was “much satisfied” with his meeting with Mr Modi on May 27.

Briefing reporters about Mr Modi’s response to Mr Sharif, Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh was quoted as saying the “letter and sari diplomacy” helped India’s attempts to have cordial ties with neighbours.

She warned though that maintenance of peace along the LoC was one of the most important confidence-building measures between India and Pakistan and also a precondition for normalisation of ties.

Meanwhile, Mr Jaitley on Saturday began his two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir where he began a review of the security situation with the state government and senior military officials.

Accompanied by Army Chief General Bikram Singh, Mr Jaitley arrived on his maiden visit since assuming charge as defence minister last month and was to meet Governor N.N. Vohra and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

Asked about the alleged ceasefire violations by Pakistan, the defence minister was quoted as saying: “Our forces are capable of responding to it.”

Mr Jaitley was speaking to reporters at the Raj Bhawan, where he will be staying overnight.

Ahead of Mr Jaitley’s visit, Pakistan troops were accused of targeting Indian posts in Poonch sector on Friday with heavy weaponry like mortar shells.

Published in Dawn, June 15th, 2014