Pak media welcomes Indian PM's 'no war' statement

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani media has welcomed Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's declaration that there was 'no question of war', as one top analyst underlined that it is encouraging that Islamabad and New Delhi are keeping diplomatic channels open.

"Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's statement on Tuesday that there is 'no question of war' between the two neighbours will have allayed some of the fears that the tension on our eastern border may spiral out of control," the Dawn daily said on Thursday.

In an editorial headlined 'The right response', the Dawn said the "with chest-thumping bravado still evident in some quarters on both sides of the border, statements designed to reduce the tension are a welcome sign of responsible statesmanship".

According to the Daily Times, the Indian premier has 'trimmed the sails' of Indian response "probably after being put off" by the Hartline adopted by External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, who had threatened unilateral action if Pakistan did not hand over the terrorists New Delhi had demanded.

Noted Pakistani analyst Talat Masood said even as India has been intensifying diplomatic and military pressure on Pakistan since the Mumbai attacks, "it is encouraging that Islamabad and New Delhi are keeping diplomatic channels open".

"Talks should continue to manage the crisis and put the peace process back on track," he said.

Holding that the threat of war "unleashes forces that do not lend themselves to any discipline", Daily Times said: "Neither the threatening state nor the one that is threatened ultimately knows how to put the genie back in the bottle once it is let out."