Vajpayee rules out war with Pakistan

Attacks continue despite massive security

Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee has ruled out war with Pakistan over disputed Kashmir - but says Indian troops will stay on the border.

Mr Vajpayee said tensions had eased and India was ready for talks on the long-running dispute - but not before Pakistan made good its promises.

There is no possibility of war with Pakistan

Atal Behari Vajpayee,
Indian PM

"Pakistan needs to stop cross-border terrorism permanently to initiate talks," he told a news conference in the northern city of Lucknow.

He also said he would consider placing Indian-administered Kashmir under federal rule in order to ensure fair elections this year.

"I think it is time that fair elections are held in Jammu and Kashmir and for that, if need be, I shall even have president's rule," Mr Vajpayee told reporters.

Kashmiris are due to vote by mid-October

The Indian cabinet can impose direct control over a state from Delhi at times of political instability.

The two nuclear powers have massed a million troops along the border since parliament in Delhi was attacked in December, but tensions eased recently after massive international pressure.

G8 leaders meeting Canada backed calls for Pakistan to end cross-border militant incursions.

"Pakistan must put a permanent stop to terrorist activity originating from territory under its control," a summit statement said.

Poll challenge

The elections in troubled Indian-administered Kashmir must be held by mid-October.

Forces will remain in place until state elections

In the past, polls have been held amid allegations of vote-rigging and intimidation of voters.

Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah recently handed over the leadership of the ruling National Conference to his son, Omar Abdullah, a minister in Mr Vajpayee's government.

He is expected to hand over the job of chief minister to his son before the election campaign begins, and thereby effect the transfer of power to a leadership trusted by Delhi.

But the main alliance of Kashmiri separatists, the All-Party Hurriyat Conference, has rejected the elections and urged Kashmiris to boycott it.

The combination of these contrary trends, analysts suggest, could sabotage efforts to ease tensions and restore normal life.

Border tension

For his part, Mr Vajpayee said he was ready to hold talks with the separatists.

"I have already expressed that I am always open to having a dialogue with them, provided they set no conditions."

Despite the easing of tensions violence flared up on Thursday in the disputed region.

Eight Indian soldiers and five suspected militants were among 20 people killed in a number of incidents in Indian-administered Kashmir.