(MENAFN- The Peninsula) India has never violated the 2003 ceasefire with Pakistan on the Jammu and Kashmir border, Home Minister Rajnath Singh (pictured), said yesterday.
"India never violates the ceasefire. It is a country which believes in peace," the minister said in response to Pakistani allegations.
"In the last two days, it is Pakistan which has violated the ceasefire. They did not even spare a day like Diwali," he added.
The latest ceasefire violation by Pakistani forces occurred Thursday, the day of Diwali, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi was visiting Kashmir.
Rajnath Singh was speaking at an event to mark the 53rd Raising Day of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) at Soorajpur here.
The home minister also warned Pakistan and said "India is capable of issuing befitting replies".
He said: "I want to tell Pakistan to stop this continuous violation of ceasefire."
Referring to the recent border row with China, he said: "We should resolve the border disputes with China through talks. We also want peace but with respect. Peace cannot come at the cost of honour."
He said: "When we get to know about ceasefire violations done by Pakistan or there is some dispute in the context of India-China border, we feel hurt and we feel angered."
Rajnath Singh said Modi has made it clear that New Delhi wants to maintain peaceful relations with all its neighbouring countries and resolve border issues peacefully.
He said: "Our prime minister has told the Chinese president and requested him that if there is a dispute, we should talk."
The home minister said China often raises question over the border and even raised objections when India wanted to improve border infrastructure within its own territory.
China objected to India building a road along the border and said on October 15 that India should not take any action that may complicate the situation in disputed border areas.
The remarks came after comments by Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju on October 14 that India is planning a 2,000km-long road along the international border between Mago-Thingbu in Tawang district and Vijaynagar in Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh.
The home minister, meanwhile, announced `1.75bn for the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) for development of infrastructure projects on the Indo-China border in Arunachal Pradesh.
He said: "The home ministry has given permission to sanction the amount for infrastructure projects in Arunachal Pradesh."
The minister was speaking at an event to mark the 53rd Raising Day of the ITBP in Soorajpur here. He assured that the ITBP will shortly have its own dedicated air support system.
He also announced that the home ministry has sanctioned 54 new border outposts (BOPs) to plug the gaps on the border in Arunachal Pradesh.
The minister said the home ministry has given permission to set up the portal battalion of ITBP.
He said: "With the setting up of the portal battalion, the force will not only fulfil its operational needs but locals will also get job opportunities."
He added the ministry is keen to modernise the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs).
The minister also praised the women contingent of the force for their spectacular show at the Raising Day parade.
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