Don't want to convert border tension into confrontation with India: Pakistan Defence Minister

New Delhi: Amid continued tension at the International border, Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said on Thursday that they did not want to convert border tension between two nuclear neighbours into confrontation.

He also warned that Pakistan was fully capable of respond to any Indian aggression.

“Pakistan fully capable to respond to any Indian aggression,” Asif said, adding, “We do not want to convert border tension between two nuclear neighbours into confrontation.”

He also said that “India should act in a responsible manner,” as per ANI.

On the other hand, in the strongest warning yet over unabated ceasefire violations from across the border, India today asserted that Pakistan will not be able to bear the cost of this "adventurism" if it persists with such "unprovoked" aggression.

"Pakistan in these attacks has clearly been the aggressor but it must realise that our deterrence will be credible. If Pakistan persists with this adventurism, our forces will make the cost of this adventurism unafforable," Defence Minister Arun Jaitley told reporters.

India's strong message has reached Pakistan and will continue to do so if it persists with firing and shelling, he said.

If Pakistan wants peace on the borders, Jaitley said, it should stop what it is doing. "Pakistan has to stop this unprovoked firing and shelling. As long as that continues how can there be peace."

Asked about chances of talks between leaders of the two countries, he shot back, "how can you talk when firing is on".

Our armed forces, Jaitley said, have been doing a commendable job.

He said India is a responsible country which is not an aggressor but it is responsible for fully protecting its people and land.

Meanwhile, under fire from the opposition over escalating ceasefire violations by Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said India has responded to the aggression with courage and lamented public debate on the issue for political gains.

"Today, when bullets are being fired on the border, it is the enemy that is screaming. Our jawans have responded to the aggression with courage," Modi said at an election rally at Baramati, the turf of NCP chief Sharad Pawar.

"The enemy has realised that times have changed and their old habits will not be tolerated," he said.

He slammed those targeting the government on the issue through a public discourse, saying it demoralised the jawans fighting on the border.

With PTI inputs