The Prime Minister of India, Atal Behari Vajpayee, says he wants talks with Pakistan at the earliest opportunity to discuss their whole range of differences, including Kashmir and the nuclear issue.

But -- in an address to the Upper House of parliament in Delhi -- Mr Vajpayee stressed there was no place for any outside involvement whatsoever in any dialogue with Pakistan; Pakistan has repeatedly called for outside mediation in solving its disputes with India.

Mr Vajpayee also repeated India's displeasure at the Security Council resolution passed on Saturday condemning India and Pakistan for their nuclear tests.