Delhi says blunt 'no' to Musharraf's proposal

Reacting to Musharraf's remarks on the issue in an interview to television news channel CNN-IBN, Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna told reporters here that India viewed Pakistan's implementation of its January 2004 commitment to end cross-border terrorism as "unconditional" and not linked to the proposal by Musharraf.

Musharraf said during the interview that if India demilitarises three cities of Jammu and Kashmirsummer capital Srinagar, Kupwara and Baramulla he would ensure end of militancy in these areas.

Sarna said any demilitarisation or redeployment of security forces within the territory of India "is a sovereign decision and cannot be dictated by a foreign government."

"Such decisions are based on our assessment of the security situation prevailing in any part of the country. As long as the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir and indeed in other parts of the country is adversely affected by the phenomenon of cross-border terrorism and violence perpetrated by Pakistan-based terrorist groups, the government of India will fulfil its responsibility to safeguard the lives and security of its citizens," he said.

The Indian Foreign Ministry said Musharraf seemed to suggest that if India withdrew its troops from the three Jammu and Kashmir cities, he would ensure "there was no militancy."

But "what we are talking about here is terrorism and not mere militancy" and terrorism has to stop, Sarna said.

He reminded Musharraf's of his commitment that Pakistan would not allow its territory to be used for cross border terrorism against India. "The implementation of this commitment is unconditional. Pakistan should implement its solemn commitments forthwith so that the peace process can make progress."

The two nuclear-powered South Asian neighbours initiated the peace process in 2003 and have taken several confidence-building measures like reopening of bus, air and rail links and holding of Foreign Ministerial and Foreign Secretary level talks.