Nuclearisation has reduced chances of war -- Musharraf

Nuclearisation has reduced chances of war -- Musharraf
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

NEW DELHI, JAN 4: Pakistan's military ruler General Pervez Musharraf on Tuesday said nuclearisation of India and Pakistan had reduced the chances of "open conflagration between the two countries on Kashmir issue".

"Since the dispute is there and since we both are nuclear powers now, the danger of any conflict expanding into any nuclear conflagration had lessened," Musharraf told CNN. He said as a consequence of acquisition of nuclear weapons by both countries, New Delhi and Islamabad should modify their stand on Kashmir and called for a serious look at the issue.

The American Television Network was focussing, post-hijacking, on threat posed by nuclear weapons in the sub-continent, in view of what it called enhanced tension between the two neighbours.

Asked under what conditions Pakistan would be prepared to use nuclear weapons, Musharraf said "if the security of Pakistan is threatened... that is my short answer."

Responding to Musharraf's proposal of a serious dialogue on Kashmir, National SecurityAdviser Brajesh Mishra told CNN that New Delhi was prepared to discuss the issue with Pakistan but first "Pakistan-sponsored terrorism in India must stop".

He said Pakistan's rhetoric on bilateral talks was not matched by its deeds. "Well, we listen to their words but we watch their actions which promote, instigate, abet terrorism in India. These speak louder than their words." Asked if India had any proof of Islamabad's complicity in terrorist acts, especially in the recent hijacking, Mishra said, "I am not merely talking about hijacking which took place only recently. I am talking of the terrorism which has been promoted and instigated by them since the last 15 years and more, first in Punjab and then in Jammu and Kashmir."

"This hijacking is just related to that aspect of terrorist activities of Pakistan," Mishra said, stressing Pakistan's attitude towards India was the main stumbling block to peace. Referring to India's nuclear weapons, he said India's policy on such weapons was clear.

"So far asIndia is concerned, we have already decided we will not be the first to use nuclear weapons and we would like to ask Pakistan to adopt the same policy."