India rejects Pak proposal of troop reduction in J K

New Delhi, Dec 7 (UNI) India today rejected Pakistan's proposal of troop reduction in Jammu and Kashmir while Islamabad called for a compromise formula on Sir Creek.

The issues came up during the 45-minute bilateral meeting between External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and care-taker Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Inam ul Haq, on the sidelines of the 29th Session of the SAARC Council of Ministers here today.

Sources said the Pakistan Minister told Mr Mukherjee that much progress had been made between the two countries on various issues. However, there had been no progress on ''core issues'' like Jammu and Kashmir.

The Pakistan Minister told Mr Mukherjee that at least some Confidence-Building Measures should also be introduced on these ''core issues.'' For instance, he demanded reduction in troops in Jammu and Kashmir which would be a ''relief'' for people of Kashmir.

However, the External Affairs Minister rejected the proposal saying terrorism and violence continued ''on and off'' in Kashmir valley which did not warrant troop reduction at this moment.

Mr Haq told the External Affairs Minister that ceasefire was now on between the two countries and the border had been fenced. So there was no infiltration from Pakistan side. He said whatever violence was taking place in Kashmir, it was indigenous.

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