ISLAMABAD Pakistan on Tuesday reiterated its call for negotiations and de-escalation of tension with India in the wake of terrorist attacks on Mumbai, spelling out two specific proposals for defusing the situation.
The two proposals presented by Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi in a brief statement on state run television asked India to de-activate its forward airbases and relocate its troops back to `peace-time situation.`
`India should deactivate the forward bases that have been activated,` Qureshi said adding this would be a major positive signal.
The foreign minister also asked India to relocate the deployed ground forces to peace time positions saying this too would be a positive gesture.
He believed that these indications from New Delhi would generate good atmosphere for normalisation of ties between the two neighbours.
The proposals come at a time when tension between the nuclear-armed rivals seemed to be receding with both the countries denying mobilisation of troops and India claiming it had not set any deadline for a crackdown against terrorists by Pakistan. Additionally, talks were held between the directors general of military operations of the two countries.
Sources say Pakistan has been particularly encouraged by the change in Indian tone on sharing information with it.
The foreign minister said, `certain developments in the past 48 hours augured well for the situation.`
Qureshi also spoke of diplomatic efforts by China and the US for defusing the tension.
The foreign minister urged the need of dialogue between both countries.
`Dialogue serves the interest of both of us and we should use diplomatic channels for resolving the difference,` Qureshi said underscoring the need for resumption of dialogue.
He said the two countries should maintain friendly relations for the sake of their people and the peace of the region.
`We expect them to share information with us as soon as they complete the probe,` he said adding that the Pakistan government would like to reassure India that `it would try its level best to get to the bottom of the thing` once India shares evidence.
