LUCKNOW: A day after US diplomat John Kerry urged India-Pakistan to move forward, defence minister Manohar Paririkar categorically said that talks with Pakistan were not possible until and unless the neighboring country not only stops ceasefire violation but the same begins to be visible. Pakistan has to make its intention clear, the defence minister said.

Admitting that proxy war is on from Pakistan side, the defence minister said that India has adopted a pro-active policy to thwart the neighboring country's ill intention.

However, Parrikar refused to elaborate on the strategy but said that within next six months statistics would prove what policy has been adopted to tackle proxy war from the Pakistani side.

Parrikar, who was in Lucknow on a day-long visit, earlier held introductory meetings with several BJP office bearers and workers. Later in the day, he was expected to meet defence officials. Amidst reports that he would be adopting a village under Sansad Gram Yojna, Parrikar said that as a Rajya Sabha MP he can work on all the villages in UP.

He admitted that cross border firing has increased on international border with Pakistan but has come down considerably on Line of Control (LOC).

On ways to tackle threat from China side, Parrikar though admitted that face off between India and Chinese army is still on, attempts of incursion from China side has stopped following talks with the Chinese officials. "Talks have been on, though not on a daily basis but from time to time. It is because of such talks that incursion by Chinese army has stopped," Parrikar said and added, however, face off from within their respective borders between Indian and Chinese army is still on. He hoped that things will improve through diplomatic channels.

To a question on middlemen being allowed in arms sale and purchase, the defence minister said that representative from technical side, who will have to clearly mention his role, will be allowed. He ruled out allowing middlemen for commission in arms deal and said that provisions already existed. However, now the defence ministry would clearly spell out what is not permitted in any arms deal.

Elaborating at length about the problems in various cantonment boards, Parrikar said that an order has been issued from the ministry to open roads in the cantonment boards which does not fall in the mentioned category. There had been problems of several roads being closed for civilians in the cantonment boards, Parrikar said and added that the orders had been given on January 7 itself. Similarly, the ministry is also looking into the problem of mutation and map clearance in the cantonment boards.

Parrikar also assured that the ministry would ensure that the problems of ex-servicemen especially those with disability do not have to run to courts and tribunals to get their problems solved.