Did Jairam Ramesh have an ‘unchecked stroll’ in Pak?

The controversy over the ‘stroll’ of Indian Minister Jairam Ramesh inside Pakistani territory was put to rest with the Rangers saying he ‘inadvertently took three to four steps’.

The controversy over the ‘stroll’ of Indian Minister Jairam Ramesh inside Pakistani territory was put to rest with the Rangers saying he ‘inadvertently took three to four steps’.

Pakistan’s border guard force came out with a statement on what had actually happened during Ramesh’s visit with Border Security Force (BSF) and customs officials to the check post at Wagah on January 18. It dismissed as incorrect reports that the Minister of State for Commerce had an ‘unchecked stroll’ in Pakistani territory.

The statement said the minister had pulled back after being warned by the Rangers’ officer on duty at the spot when he ‘inadvertently took three to four steps towards the Pakistani side’.

“The Minister immediately returned, saying sorry,” it added.

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The statement said BSF authorities had been advised to brief visiting dignitaries about the exact demarcation of the zero line at Wagah.

Earlier, the News daily had said Pakistan had sought a report from its officials on Ramesh’s ‘stroll’ into Pakistani territory at the Wagah border in alleged violation of rules and regulations but the Minister said he had taken only ‘two steps’.

Asked for his comments on the incident, Ramesh had said in New Delhi, “I shook hands with the (Pakistani) Rangers and took two steps.”

“Everyone was in good mood,” he added.

Senior Congress leader Veerappa Moily said in New Delhi on Monday that Ramesh had not crossed the boundary and nor has he committed any diplomatic impropriety.