NEW DELHI, Jan. 31 (1987): India and Pakistan began high-level talks here today aimed at easing mutual tensions, but neither side appeared willing to halt large troop movements along the border that have spread alarm in both countries in the last two weeks.
India and Pakistan began high-level talks here today aimed at easing mutual tensions, but neither side appeared willing to halt large troop movements along the border that have spread alarm in both countries in the last two weeks.
An Indian spokesman said this evening that the four and a half hours of talks were ”held in a frank, businesslike and cordial atmosphere, and promoted a better mutual understanding.” But he declined to comment on the substance of the discussions.
At issue are military maneuvers along a 250-mile section of the Pakistan border with northwest India. Recent buildups are reported to involve about 150,000 men on the Indian side and at least half that number on the Pakistani side. A History of War
In some cases, the troops are said to be within sight of each other, raising fears that an accidental shot could lead to fighting despite pledges by each side not to start a conflict.
India and Pakistan have fought three wars since their independence in 1947 and continue to trade angry charges on a variety of issues. In the last year, progress in negotiating some of their disputes has often been followed by setbacks and mutual recriminations.
Taking part in the talks today were delegations led by Abdus Sattar, the Pakistani Foreign Secretary, and Alfred Gonsalves, officiating Foreign Secretary for India. The discussions are scheduled to continue on Sunday and Monday.
Indian and Pakistani officials say that neither country can afford a war, and that none of the disputes is sufficient cause for war. Most independent military analysts say India’s forces are superior to Pakistan’s in numbers and weaponry and would probably win a war. Many Pakistani analysts agree, and cite this as a reason Islamabad would not want to provoke a conflict.
The latest crisis arose in the fall, when India began plans for unusually large war games in February and March at a newly completed training site in the Rajasthan desert near the border of the Pakistani province of Sind.
Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi described the operations as routine, and assured Pakistan that India had no hostile intent. But the planned war games are said to have frightened Pakistan because they involve twice as many troops as any previous Indian maneuvers.
The initial buildup and preparations last fall stirred concern in Pakistan, particularly in Sind, where some officials fear secessionists might welcome an Indian invasion. Pakistan decided to move some of its own troops, apparently as a precautionary measure.
Indian officials said that they became alarmed when Pakistan moved some divisions north, just across the border from the Indian states of Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir. These areas have been the site of fighting between India and Pakistan in the past.
It was from those areas that India removed troops to have them take part in the games to the south in Rajasthan.
At first, Prime Minister Gandhi said last month that the Pakistani response ”has caused us tremendous concern.” But he pledged not to react himself, ”so as not to heighten the tension and create a situation which may snowball.” A few days later, however, Mr. Gandhi authorized sending more troops to the northwest.
