World Notes DIPLOMACY

Not since the 1971 India-Pakistan war had such a massive face-off occurred along their heavily fortified border. By early last week, the New Delhi government had deployed 350,000 soldiers in three northern states and Pakistan had positioned 100,000 men.

The buildup had begun last fall when India launched Operation Brass Tacks, a war game that took place along the frontier and involved 180,000 troops. This alarmed Pakistan, which responded by deploying two armored divisions near India's Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir states. Move and countermove began an escalation that threatened to drift into war.

After emergency discussions in New Delhi last week, however, the crisis subsided. Pakistan agreed to withdraw 40,000 troops, while the Indians will pull back 60,000. Both sides will also "avoid all provocative actions."

Instead of war, the two countries turned to trade and games. Pakistan sounded out India about the possibility of importing three elephants to replenish its dwindling supply of five, all living in zoos. In addition, India agreed that Pakistan President Mohammed Zia ul-Haq would visit in February to attend an India-Pakistan cricket match.