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Sartaz Aziz says threat of war slimmer now

Pakistan Foreign Minister Sartaj Aziz today said there had been ''no further escalation'' of tensions with India over Kashmir.

''There is no further escalation and there is at least an expectation that a de-escalation process may begin,'' he told reporters on return from Islamic Foreign Ministers' Conference in Burkina Faso.

''It (de-escalation) has not begun because firing is still going on on the Line of Control.''

Replying to a question, Aziz said the threat of war breaking out with India had grown slimmer.

''If India were to accept the dialogue route and start at least discussions on the ground situation as to what was happening or who has violated or who is where, then probably the process of de-escalation would start.

''So I will say I am cautiously hopeful. I can't say that I am optimistic at the moment.''

Aziz said diplomatic efforts were being made to defuse the tension though he did not give details of any specific proposals exchanged between Islamabad and New Delhi or if and when any outcome was expected.

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