Iran urges India Pakistan talks

The Iranian Foreign Minister, Kamal Kharrazi, has said that Tehran favours direct talks between India and Pakistan to resolve their dispute over Kashmir.

Mr Kharrazi, who is accompanying the Iranian President, Mohammad Khatami, on a four-day visit to India, said any such talks had to take into account the concerns of Kashmiris.

His comments came as a pro-Pakistan Kashmiri rebel group accused the Iranian president of insulting Kashmiri Muslims by participating in India's Republic Day parade.

In a statement, the group, Jamiat-ul-Mujahedin, described Mr Khatami's policy on Kashmir as dubious.

President Khatami was the chief guest during the Indian celebration on Sunday.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service