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 Michael White of The Times"Surpised by minister's remarks"  real 28k |
Nuclear clash came 'very close'
The summer conflict in Kashmir aroused international concern |
India and Pakistan were "very close" to a nuclear exchange over the disputed territory of Kashmir this year, according to a British Government minister.
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The paper quoted Mr Hain as saying that Kashmir remained a "frightening flashpoint."
"We know the two countries came very close to a nuclear exchange over it," he said.
Peter Hain: Refused to go into details |
It is possible that these pictures showed some movement of weapons that were nuclear-capable, according to the paper's defence editor, Michael White.
Michael White said he was "surprised" by the minister's comments which came during a discussion about the new military rulers in Pakistan.
Peter Hain made an official visit to India earlier this month, during which he delivered a message from Prime Minister Tony Blair to the new BJP-led administration.
Both India and Pakistan are proven nuclear powers after last year's tit-for-tat tests, and it is believed they may each possess a small number of nuclear warheads.
The two countries fought a proxy war in Kashmir during the summer when Pakistani-backed forces managed to infiltrate Indian-controlled territory.
The fighting ended after the US pressurised Pakistan to order a pullback of its forces
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See also: |
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23 Nov 99 | South Asia |
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Bomb blast in Kashmir |
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17 Nov 99 | South Asia |
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Kashmir 'war still on' |
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17 Nov 99 | South Asia |
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India goes arms shopping |
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05 Nov 99 | South Asia |
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Musharraf: Kashmir key to peace |
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10 Nov 99 | South Asia |
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India and Pakistan clash in Kashmir |
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10 Jul 99 | South Asia |
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Kashmir militant alliance rules out withdrawal |
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