Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar Addresses the Media on the Drone Controversy, Ceasefire Violations: Highlights

New Delhi: Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar addressed the media regarding the drone controversy, and the ceasefire violations along the Line of Control with Pakistan.

Here are the highlights of his speech:

• On 15 July, around 8:50 Pakistani rangers resorted to sniper fire along the border.
• NSA spoke to our High Commissioner in Islamabad, asking him to take up the issue with Pakistan.
• No response by Pakistan to our demarche, instead intermittent firing continued in Akhnoor sector till 16:50 hrs yesterday.
• Pakistan's High Commissioner claimed firing had been initiated by the Indian side and a drone had been brought down.
• The NSA inquired why conversations weren't initiated by Pakistan, if firing was started by the Indian side.
• The Pakistani government has now sought to shift responsibility of the firing to the Indian side.
• Photograph of drone in question shows it is not of Indian design or available in the inventory of the Indian Armed forces.
• The drone appears to be of Chinese design and is available off the shelf.
• We remain committed to steps that contribute to ensuring tranquility and peace along the border.
• But there should be no doubt that any unprovoked firing from the Pakistani side will result in retaliation.