Pakistan’s army chief calls for calm with India

Pakistan’s powerful army chief called Monday for an easing of tensions with India, the military said, one month after the Mumbai attacks sent ties between the nuclear-armed neighbours into a tailspin.

General Ashfaq Kayani made the call during a meeting with visiting Chinese vice foreign minister He Yafei, who was dispatched by Beijing to Islamabad as part of an international effort to restore calm between the South Asian rivals.

“The army chief highlighted the need to de-escalate and avoid conflict in the interest of peace and security,” Pakistan’s military said in a statement following Monday’s meeting in the garrison town of Rawalpindi near the capital.

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Kayani’s remarks followed an unscheduled weekend conversation between senior military officials from India and Pakistan over the hotline linking the two states.

The directors general of military operations (DGMOs) made contact after Pakistani officials said troops had been moved to the Indian border and leave had been cancelled for soldiers on active duty, sparking concern in New Delhi.

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