No scope of Pakistan winning war in my lifetime, says PM Manmohan Singh

www.mangaloretoday.com

New Delhi, Dec 4, 2013(NDTV): After Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was reported as saying that Kashmir could trigger a fourth war between his country, Dr Manmohan Singh reacted sharply, declaring, "There is no scope of Pakistan winning any such war in my lifetime."

The controversy was carved open by the Dawn, a Pakistani daily, which reported today that during a visit to Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, Mr Sharif said, "Kashmir is a flashpoint and can trigger a fourth war between the two nuclear powers at any time."

Mr Sharif’s office denied the comment hours later, describing the newspaper article as "incorrect and based on malafide  intentions."

However, in a statement that’s certain to serve as an irritant for India, Mr Sharif’s office said that he has "a dream of seeing held-Kashmir free from the Indian occupation and desired that this dream could turn into reality during his lifetime."

His statement comes as both countries have been trying to rebuild relations.

In recent months, the violations of the ceasefire along the de facto border or Line of Control in Kashmir have been the worst in nearly a decade.

In September, Mr Sharif met with Dr Manmohan Singh at the UN General Assembly in New York and both leaders said they would ensure their military commanders work on restoring the ceasefire.