War is a media hype, says Jairam Ramesh

JAIPUR: Indian, Pakistani and American media are responsible for creating a hype about an imminent war between India and Pakistan, union minister Jairam Ramesh alleged on Friday.

"Because the prime minister and defence minister met behind close doors, it does not mean that they were discussing anything about war," Ramesh, minister of state for power, told reporters adding the media, therefore, should not interpret any such thing.

He was on a three-day visit to Rajasthan to inspect and review the progress of work in Suratgarh super thermal power project at Sriganganagar and Barsinhgsar thermal power project.

Ramesh said it was "ridiculous" to talk about a war and create "an unnecessary alarm" among the people by creating a hype even after prime minister Manmohan Singh had issued a statement that there was no question of a conflict.

Ramesh admitted there was some tension along the border but said there was no war-like situation.

Ramesh asked the media to report more responsibily on such sensitive matters.

He said both India and Pakistan are nuclear-powered and if there was any war, Rajasthan would be first affected and therefore, the media must restrain from creating any hype.