India takes seriously any Pak comment on peace: Nirmala Sitharaman

New Delhi, May 21

Any comment from Islamabad calling for peace between the two countries would be taken seriously by India, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said here on Monday in the backdrop of the Pakistan Army chief favouring talks to resolve lingering disputes.

The minister said the armed forces would “fully honour” the government’s decision not to launch any operations in Jammu and Kashmir during the holy month of Ramzan.

“Any comment on wanting peace will definitely be taken seriously,” Sitharaman told reporters on the sidelines of an event when asked about the Pakistan Army’s recent indication of supporting peaceful resolution of disputes between the two countries through talks.

Pakistan Army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa had said last month that a peaceful resolution of disputes, including Kashmir, would be possible through talks between the two countries.

His comments came amid the impression, persisting for decades, that the Pakistan Army was not supportive of talks with India.

Asked about the recent incidents of ceasefire violations by Pakistan and whether India would stick to its decision not to launch any operation in Jammu and Kashmir during Ramzan, Sitharaman said the armed forces would abide by what was announced by the Centre.

“We shall fully honour the policy which the Home Ministry on behalf of the Government of India announced. The policy has clearly laid out how it is going to pan out and we shall abide by everything that was announced,” Sitharaman said on the sidelines of a seminar on artificial intelligence.

Speaking at the seminar, she underlined the need for incorporating AI applications in the Army, Navy and the Air Force.

She said AI could also be utilised in checking chemical, biological and nuclear weapons as well as keeping a vigil on outer space.

The Pakistan Rangers resorted to unprovoked firing and shelling along the International Border (IB) in Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday night. PTI