Manmohan Singh disappointed with Nawaz Sharif over ceasefire violations

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said he was disappointed with his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif and asked him "even at this late hour" to recognise that what was happening on the LoC and International Border is not good for the two nations.

"Let me say I am disappointed because in the New York meeting (between them last month) there was a general agreement on both the sides that peace and tranquillity should be maintained on the border, LoC as well as IB and it has not happened. It has come to me as a big disappointment," Singh told reporters accompanying him on his two-nation tour to Russia and China.

"We had agreed at that time that if the ceasefire of 2003 has held ground for 10 years, then it could be made to hold later on also. That it has not happened is something which is really a disappointment," he said when asked whether he was disappointed with Sharif.

He said even at this late hour he sincerely hoped that Sharif would recognise that this development "is not good for either of the two countries".

The Prime Minister's concerns comes against the backdrop of heavy firing by Pakistani troops not only along the LoC but also along the IB and the loss of lives of two BSF personnel in the last one week and continuing ceasefire violations in the past three weeks even after the New York meeting.

Over the New York meeting on the margins of the UNGA, Singh had come under attack from BJP for engaging in "futile talks" with Pakistan.