Fencing along the 742-kilometre (465-mile) border between India and Pakistan in occupied Kashmir is almost complete but India's troop strength in the Himalayan state will not be reduced, India's defence minister said on Wednesday.
He also ruled out repealing tough anti-terror laws inside the occupied state, where an anti-Indian insurgency has been raging since 1989.
"Completion of fencing is almost over. There may be some patches left," Pranab Mukherjee told reporters at the end of his maiden two-day trip to occupied Kashmir after becoming new defence minister. "I think they (soldiers) have done a very good job. I do hope it will prevent the infiltration and exfiltration (of militants)," he said after inspecting the fencing at the Line of Control (LoC) - the de facto border that divides Kashmir between India and Pakistan.
When asked by a reporter whether the fencing had been completed with the "tacit approval" of Pakistan, Mukherjee said, "Of course, the cease-fire itself is an indication of moving towards the positive direction. Resumption of talks is also a signal that we are moving in the positive direction."
He added, however: "I would not like to rush to any conclusion right now."
"I hope the cease-fire that began from November last year will continue. It has created an atmosphere," said the minister, flanked by India's army chief General N.C. Vij.
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