Ceasefire statement in full

An improvement along the frontline with Pakistan

Text of Prime Minister Vajpayee's remarks

"Before the winter session of the parliament concludes, and the house rises for the festival of Christmas, I wish to take this opportunity and share with all honourable members the government's assessment of the situation in J&K (state of Jammu and Kashmir), also along the LoC (Line of Control dividing Indian and Pakistan forces).

Prime Minister Vajpayee: "Encouraging developments"

"Following my announcement of 19th November that during the holy month of Ramadan our security forces would not initiate operations against the militants, also expressing a hope that along the LoC too, infiltration would cease, there have been some encouraging developments.

"Certain other aspects, however, remain as our continuing concerns.

Response welcomed

"The government is greatly heartened by the response of the citizens, political parties and other organisations in the state of J&K.

India says there has been a reduction in militant violence

"Our peace initiative has been widely welcomed there. A distinctly different and a more optimistic mood now prevails in that state. The constituency for peace has expanded significantly.

"There has also been a decline in incidents of terrorist violence in that state. Activities, however, of organisations like Lashkar-eTayeba and Harkat-ul Mujahideen continue, resulting in most unfortunate and regrettable loss of innocent civilian lives, also of the personnel of our security forces.

"The government remains firm in its resolve to combating these and other challenges, also to defeating their inhuman and nefarious designs.

Cross border situation

"There has been a recognisable decline, too, in attempts at cross-LoC and cross-IB (international border) infiltration of terrorists. This must cease entirely. The government is committed to achieving this end.

"Along the LoC, we have witnessed a marked improvement in incidents of exchange of fire. Relative peace has prevailed all along the LoC, ever since my announcement of 19th November, barring some incidents in the early stages.

"After careful consideration of all aspects the government has, therefore, taken a decision to extend the period of 'no initiation of combat operations' by another month. After Republic Day 2001 (26th January) , the government will review the position again.

Dialogue with Pakistan

"As the initiator of the dialogue process with Pakistan, India remains committed to it. The existence of a suitable environment for such a process is self-evidently necessary.

"As part of continued commitment to the Shimla agreement and the Lahore declaration, the government will initiate such exploratory steps as are considered necessary by it, so that the composite dialogue process between the governments of India and Pakistan can be resumed.

"Let me inform the house that the government's unwavering commitment to meeting the challenge of terrorism remains undiluted. Whereas we will continue to exercise maximum restraint in the face of grave provocations, national interests will never be compromised.

"I wish to assure honourable members that we remain steadfast in our commitment to restoring lasting peace and to enabling all our citizens from J&K to join as equal partners in India's march to prosperity."