The British Foreign Secretary, Robin Cook, said he was dismayed by Pakistan's nuclear tests.

Mr Cook said it was urgent for Pakistan and India to back off from what he said was the regional arms race in which the two countries were becoming engaged.

Instead, he said they should sign up unconditionally to the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty and the nuclear Non-Proliferation treaty.

Mr Cook said that signing the treaties would do more to promote Indian and Pakistani security than pursuing nuclear test programmes.

He urged the two countries to resume dialogue.