Vajpayee optimistic over Pakistan summit

Mr Vajpayee stressed that Kashmir was "part of India"

Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee says he is optimistic that a forthcoming summit between India and Pakistan will help resolve the long-running Kashmir dispute.

In May, Mr Vajpayee invited Pakistan's military ruler, General Pervez Musharraf to Delhi for what would be the first high-level talks between the two countries in more than two years.

The agenda is going to be dictated by realities in the relationship

Nirupama Rao, Indian Foreign Ministry

No date has been set for the summit but it is expected to take place next month.

But Mr Vajpayee has reaffirmed that there will be no compromise on India's position regarding the status of Kashmir.

"We are clear that Kashmir is an integral part of India. We will stress this issue in the dialogue," Mr Vajpayee told a news conference in Bombay.

"One-third of Kashmir is with Pakistan and we will raise this issue also," he added.

Dispute

Pakistan argues that Kashmir is the core dispute between India and needs to be addressed above everything else.

Vajpayee invited Musharraf for talks last month

India wants Kashmir to be discussed along with a range of other disputes - but observers have noted possible softening of positions on both sides.

"The agenda is going to be dictated by realities in the relationship," Indian foreign ministry spokesperson Nirupama Rao said in Delhi.

Mr Vajpayee also announced that he would convene a meeting of all the political parties ahead of General Musharraf's visit.

The summit is to take place from 14-16 July in the city of Agra.

In fresh violence in Indian-administered Kashmir, six militants and an Indian soldier have been killed in separate incidents.