NEW DELHI: India’s Defence Minister Arun Jaitley said on Saturday ceasefire violations on the Line of Control in Kashmir would figure in talks between India and Pakistan, and the United Nations Military Observers Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) has claimed, to New Delhi’s chagrin, they were there precisely to keep a close watch on the alleged infringements.

India’s claim that UNMOGIP was irrelevant in today’s political conditions was highlighted earlier this month when it asked the UN observers based in New Delhi to move out of the official premises they occupied free of charge for over 40 years. The government has said the UNMOGIP has outlasted its utility, and said it should wind up the mission.

“I have seen that statement,” visiting UN peacekeeping chief Hervé Ladsous told The Hindu in comments published on Saturday. “It is their prerogative to explain their views, but the mandate of UNMOGIP was established by the UN Security Council 60-odd years ago, and only the Security Council can undo that decision, look at the mandate again and decide. So it isn’t my decision, and I can’t comment further,” Mr Ladsous said.

He clarified in the interview in Delhi that UNMOGIP’s purpose was simply to observe what was happening and to report that. “And I think their very presence on that line, to a certain degree, contributes to confidence. So one should never lose that from your sight.” India could go to the Security Council if it wished to effect any changes in the observers’ status.

Mr Ladsous said the Indian government’s directive asking the group to vacate its official bungalow in New Delhi came up during his daylong discussions with officials of the ministries of defence, home and external affairs, but they had not given any “drastic” ultimatum. He confirmed that the UNMOGIP had already found new offices in Delhi and would be moving shortly.

India asks UN team on Kashmir to leave Delhi premises

Meanwhile in a conversation with the media on Saturday — the 15th anniversary of the Kargil war, which is commemorated as Kargil Vijay Diwas — Mr Jaitley stressed that ceasefire violations “itself is an issue” of the talks.

Mr Jaitley made this observation in response to a question on the impact of the recent alleged spurt in border violations by Islamabad on the upcoming talks between the foreign secretaries of India and Pakistan that commence on August 25.

In a statement in parliament on July 25, Mr Jaitley stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had stressed the importance of peace and tranquillity along the borders and the need to uphold the sanctity of the Line of Control, during his talks with his Pakistan counterpart Nawaz Sharif.

Published in Dawn, July 27th, 2014