Return
to Story Page
To print: Select File and then Print from your
browser's menu
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE
NEW DELHI, JUNE 9: The National Security Council met on Tuesday, for the first time since it was set up, along with the Strategic Policy Group (though all members had not been invited) and the National Security Advisory Board, chaired by the Prime Minister. A ``clear understanding of Pakistan's aims emerged'' from the meeting, an official press release said.
Since the Cabinet Committee on Security, whose members also sit in on the NSC, have been meeting fairly regularly in the wake of the Kargil crisis, the aim of this meeting was to undertake wider consultation and try and build consensus on the conflict along the LoC. ``Pakistan's recent official pronouncements reveal an inclination towards adventurism, the consequences of which shall be entirely Pakistan's responsibility,'' the joint meeting felt, according to the release.
The NSC meeting chaired by the Prime Minister, at which the ministers for Home, Defence, Finance and External Affairs wre present, saw ``complete unanimity'' that the Army-Air Forceoperations in Kargil were the right response to the Pakistani armed incursion. There was also ``complete agreement'' that the attempt to question the LoC and violate the Simla Agreement by Islamabad was ``completely unacceptable.''
However, the meeting also struck a cautious note, with members agreeing that India should remain committed to the composite dialogue process with Pakistan. That the Lahore process should be sustained in the search for a comprehensive improvement in relations with Pakistan. ``But at the same time, India must be prepared for all eventualities in the fluid situation prevailing as of now,'' the release added.
Copyright © 1999 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
------------------------------------------------------------
This story was printed from Net Express located at http://www.expressindia.com. Net Express provides a portal to India, with news from The Indian Express and The Financial Express along with sites on travel and tourism, the entertainment industry, the power sector, the environment and much more.
------------------------------------------------------------