India sent troops to border, says Pakistan

December 31, 2008|Chris Brummitt, Associated Press

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - Pakistan contended that India had moved troops to their shared border yesterday, days after Pakistan itself shifted soldiers to the frontier, but New Delhi insisted it had done nothing to add to tensions between the nuclear-armed countries.

Despite the allegations, both nations continued with remarks apparently aimed at mending frayed ties following the Mumbai terrorist attacks, suggesting that posturing and bluster - rather than aggressive intent - was behind any troop movement.

But analysts warned that the mistrust between the two countries, which have fought three wars over the last six decades, meant any troop deployment - even a minor one - raised the risk of inadvertent conflict and put back efforts to normalize relations.

Most observers say a fourth war between the countries is highly unlikely, because few can imagine a scenario in which India would benefit from it. Any attack on Pakistan would destabilize the country's new civilian government and strengthen its militant fringe, they say.

"When people talk of the military option, I don't think they really mean it, because it has unpredictable consequences," said Lalit Mansingh, India's former ambassador to the United States.

Gunmen targeted 10 sites during last month's siege, killing 164 people in three days.

Pakistan has taken some suspects into custody and cracked down on a charity allegedly linked to the militant group India says was behind the siege.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi of Pakistan made the allegations of Indian mobilization in a televised address that included overtures toward New Delhi to resume peace talks.

"I understand India has activated their forward air bases, and I think if they are deactivated, then it will be a big, positive signal," Qureshi said.

India's external affairs minister, Pranab Mukherjee, said his country had not widened the diplomatic rift, but did not refer specifically to Qureshi's allegation.

"We have not done anything which can escalate the tension between India and Pakistan," he told reporters in New Delhi. "Because from day one, I have been saying that it is not an India-Pakistan issue. This is an attack perpetrated by elements emanating from the land of Pakistan."