External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee informed the reporters on the latest comments made by Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and said, “We have not escalated anything so where is the question of our de-escalation.”

Indian and Pakistani armed forces kept the customary communication line open despite this diplomatic exchange.

The Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) from both sides maintained their regular talks over the phone, as is done every Tuesday as well as on the last Saturday of the month, despite the speculations of troop movements.

Earlier during the day, Mahmood Qureshi, in a televised address asked India to “deactivate” its forward air bases and pull back its ground forces to peace-time positions and “send positive signal.” India denies that there has been any mobilisation of forces and blames Pakistan of creating war hysteria in a move to divert attention from the core issue of Mumbai attacks by the terrorists, who came from Pakistan.

Pranab talked tough and asked Pakistan to act against the terror groups based on its territory. He said that the attacks were not an India Pakistan issue but were the work of elements coming from the Pakistani territory. The Pakistan Government should take strict action against them. He also drew attention to the Pakistan’s remarks made initially, that they were non-state actors operating from the Pakistani territory.

He said that the United Nations Security Council had extended its ban on Al Qaeda related organisations and to Jamaat-ud- Dawa and according to the International law Pakistan is duty bound to take action against these organisations.

On the demand made by the Pakistan, Pranab said that India will provide evidence that the attacks came from Pakistan’s territory, just as it had done so in the past. He emphasized, “But please act on it.” Pranab Mukherjee also brought up the issue of Pakistan’s changing stand on Jaish-e-Mohammed Chief Masood Azhar, who was released by India in exchange for a plane full of hostages nine years back.

Pakistan earlier said that Masood was under house arrest but later stated that he was at large and was wanted by its own authorities.

Pranab argued that Masood’s crimes did not take place on Pakistan’s territory and as such he could not be wanted in that country.