No troops withdrawal, India to Pakistan
Dated 17/1/2006
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General Parvez Musharraf has become defensive after India rejected his proposal for troops withdrawal or reduction from the four Kashmir districts of Kupwara, Baramullah, Anantnag, and Pulwama.
Officials said Musharraf admitted that making public calls for troops' withdrawal or reduction were distressing relations further, as these decisions concerned Indian security, but he was left with no other option to progress the peace process.
The Pakistani president articulated to the Indian leadership that movement on the dialogue front would automatically disincentivise the "armed struggle", and that the United Jehad Council chief, Syed Salahuddin, had assured him that militancy would reduce with the troops' withdrawal from the four districts.
But in diplomatic communications, the Indian side was firm that sensitive military matters could not be forced to the table, and that Musharraf ought to restrict to political issues in his public speeches concerning the peace process, if at all.
