Rumsfeld in new drive to ease crisis

A new diplomatic effort to stave off all-out war between India and Pakistan was launched today as US defence secretary Donald Rumsfeld met Tony Blair at Downing Street.

Tension in the region eased a fraction as India's prime minister made a surprise offer to share border patrols with Pakistani troops in the disputed territory of Kashmir, in a concerted crackdown on terrorism.

However, Pakistan rejected the offer, saying it was "unlikely to work."

"The proposal is not new," a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. "Given the state of Pakistan-India relations, mechanisms for joint patrolling are unlikely to work."

The offer follows a weekend of threats and insults swapped between the Indian premier, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and his Pakistan rival, Pervez Musharraf.

Today's Downing Street summit comes at the start of a far-reaching tour by Mr Rumsfeld, which will take him to Nato talks in Brussels and then to the Gulf before he arrives in India and Pakistan. One of the proposals Mr Rumsfeld is reported to be taking with him involves offering British and American forces to help monitor the line of control that divides the Himalayan province between the South Asian neighbours.

It was this report of what is regarded as unwelcome outside interference that is believed to be behind today's remarkable statement by Mr Vajpayee on Indian television. "Joint patrolling can be held by India and Pakistan," he said in a news conference in Altmaty, Kazakhstan, adding: "There can be joint verification, but there is no need for third-party verification."

He also rejected efforts by Pakistan to involve other countries in resolving the dispute. "We do not think this is necessary," he said, adding that India and Pakistan could find a way out of the Kashmir issue through mutual dialogue.

Pakistan has already said there is no infiltration across the line of control. This has been interpreted by some observers as a promise to rein in militants. Mr Vajpayee said sustained world diplomatic pressure on Pakistan had begun to show results. At the same time, the Indian prime minister repeated his condition that "cross-border terror-ism" must end before India could begin talks with Pakistan.

New Delhi accuses Pakistan of helping Islamic militants, whom it blames for attacks on Indian targets in Indian Kashmir and elsewhere.