Musharraf: 'India is not sincere'

India has not matched Pakistan's troop withdrawal

Pakistan's military ruler, General Pervez Musharraf, has criticised as insufficient India's recent moves toward resolution of the Kashmir conflict.

Gen Musharraf: India must talk to Pakistan

Speaking to a group of newspaper editors on Thursday, General Musharraf said: "India is not sincere, as it is not talking of the settlement of the Kashmir [issue]. Rather it wants to end tension", Pakistani radio and news agencies reported.

He said that direct talks were the only way to resolve the 53-year-old dispute, adding: "Ultimately, India will talk to Pakistan."

The general's comments follow confidence-building measures from both sides in the past several days.

Ceasefire extension

India decided on Wednesday to extend a unilateral ceasefire, while Pakistan announced that it was pulling troops back from the "Line of Control" dividing the province.

In response an alliance of separatist groups in Indian-administered Kashmir said it would conduct talks with Muslim militants and Pakistani officials in January.

Ultimately, India will talk to Pakistan

General Pervez Musharraf

The All-Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC) - a non-violent umbrella organisation tolerated by India - implied that New Delhi approved of its planned discussions in Pakistan.

But a BBC correspondent in South Asia said it was not clear if the APHC actually had India's permission to go to Pakistan.

Positive reaction

The Indian press welcomed Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee's 20 December annoucement that India would extend its month-old ceasefire by four weeks.

The Express hailed the measures on both sides as a sign that mindsets were changing in Islamabad and New Delhi.

But officials on each side have been critical of the other.

Fernandes is suspicious

Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that India had not gone far enough to meet Islamabad's call for dialogue.

And the Indian Defence Minister George Fernandes cast doubt on Pakistan's declared troop withdrawal.

"We can't believe that it is possible for any army to start pulling out in such a short time", Mr Fernades said, citing the logistical difficulties of moving troops out of the mountainous province.

Pakistan, which said the withdrawal was aimed at demonstrating "earnest and genuine" desire to reduce tension, has not said how many troops will be pulled back.

Pakistan has said India should withdraw troops in response.

Two wars, thousands dead

India and Pakistan have fought two wars over Kashmir, which is divided between them, since Partition in 1947.

Kashmir events

19 Nov - Vajpayee calls ceasefire

22 Nov - Suspected militants kill five Hindu and Sikh truck drivers

2 Dec - Pakistan calls "maximum restraint" policy

3 Dec - India outlines conditions for talks with Pakistan

20 Dec - India extends ceasefire

20 Dec - Pakistan announces troop withdrawal

Each side lays claim to the entire territory, while some local groups are fighting for independence from both.

More than 34,000 people have been killed in the disputed province since separatist uprisings began in 1989.

India and Pakistan have not held direct talks over the province since a fierce border conflict in early 1999.