NEW DELHI
India's defence minister accused Pakistan of border "adventurism" amid ongoing fighting between the two countries' border forces on Thursday.
Both countries have accused each other of initiating "unprovoked" firing across the Line of Control, a de facto border which divides the Himalayan region of Kashmir between Pakistan and India.
“Pakistan is the aggressor, but it must realize that our deterrence will be credible. If Pak persists with this adventurism, our forces will make the cost of this adventurism unaffordable,” India's Defence Minister Arun Jaitley told reporters. “India is never an aggressor, it is a responsible state, but it has a paramount duty to protect its people.”
He added that peace talks between the two countries, already suspended by India, could not resume under the current conditions.
Jaitley's statement was the first since border tensions began to escalate and comes after public criticism over the government's handling of the situation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been accused of prioritizing a campaign for state elections but Home Minister Rajnath Singh said Modi is closely monitoring the situation.
“We are satisfied with the response of the Army and Border Security Force. We want to assure the nation we will not let it down,” Singh said.
The fighting has killed at least 17 people on both sides of the border, according to Indian and Pakistani officials.
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