JAMMU: With a view to forging better ties, two Indian lieutenant-generals on Tuesday favoured army-to-army contacts between India and Pakistan, reported Press Trust of India (PTI).“Army-to-army contact is not a bad thing at all (between India and Pakistan). This can be worked out,” General Officer Commanding (GOC), 16 Corps, Lt-Gen JP Nehra said.Lt-Gen Nehra, who was addressing a conference here, also reacted to recommendations of various panelists and academicians favouring army interactions for forging better ties. “Panelists have suggested volleyball and tennis matches between the two armies along the border. It will help in the process of engagement,” the GOC said.
“However, we should be realistic and pragmatic in our approach and never sacrifice the national interest,” he said.The GOC, 10 Infantry Division, Major General Rakesh Sharma, also favoured interactions between the two countries. “Why not have interactions at the military level (between India and Pakistan)? At some level we should meet and talk,” he said. “We have held interactions with PLA. But, we have not interacted with the Pak Army,” he said.The GOC Romeo Force, Major General G S Shergil, however, did not favour such a suggestion. “I do not subscribe to this point of view as it will create problems in various quarters,” he said. – Nation
