The Indian defence minister, George Fernandes, has accused Pakistan of trying to capture territory in the disputed region of Kashmir in advance of the next round of peace talks between the two sides.

He said recent attacks on Indian army positions in the Siachen glacier region were part of Islamabad's strategy to gain the upper hand in the forthcoming negotiations.

Mr Fernandes said recent border skirmishes would not affect the secretary-level talks scheduled to begin in Delhi on Friday.