Simran Sodhi

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 3

India and Pakistan today took the first concrete step towards defusing the volatile situation along the LoC with the National Security Advisers (NSAs) of the two countries discussing steps to improve the situation. The news was confirmed by Sartaj Aziz, adviser on foreign affairs to Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif. India, however, remained silent on the development. Aziz said there was a telephonic conversation between Pakistan NSA Nasser Janjua and his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval and they discussed steps to reduce tension along the Line of Control.Blaming India for raising tension, Aziz said Kashmir remained the core issue for Pakistan. “Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has indicated quite clearly that till the issue is not resolved, tension across the border will remain.”Ties between India and Pakistan touched the bottom with India upping the ante on the Indus Waters Treaty and finally conducting surgical strikes in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The conversation between the two NSAs is being seen as an indication that both countries want to de-escalate the situation.