Leh, May 31: Asserting that India can never be "insensitive" to security matters, Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani today said government will "observe minutely" how its peace initiative is reciprocated by Pakistan. "We formed the NDA government at the Centre on two issues -- security and development. On the issue of security, we can never be insensitive," he said replying to questions from reporters regarding Islamabad's promise to combat cross-border terrorism.
Advani arrived here today on a two-day visit to attend the annual 'Sindhu Darshan' festival tomorrow.
Maintaining that making comments on a daily basis on every issue will not help in progress of peace initiatives, he however, said New Delhi was observing minutely how Islamabad was reciprocating.
"Evaluation and assessment is going on and only on that basis a detailed statement can be made," he said, adding peace initiatives should not come in the way of countering the menace of terrorism.
Advani said Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had stated in Srinagar that India wanted peace between the two countries but, at the same time, he had maintained that for resolving differences, the right atmosphere was needed.
Advani said that coinciding with the Prime Minister's remarks, Indian security forces launched operation 'Sarpa Vinash' in the Kashmir valley and destroyed 80 terrorist camps, besides killing many terrorists.
He said the government was of the view that peace between the two neighbours alone could ensure welfare of the people.
Earlier, Advani flagged off ITBP's White Water river rafting expedition in the Sindhu river and a mountaineering expedition to Rimo glacier.
He evinced keen interest in scientific exhibit made by school children and later gave away prizes.
Advani promised that the Centre would extend all facilities for setting up greenhouses in Leh for cultivation of fruits and vegetables.
Bureau Report