India to pull back troops
India says it will pull tens of thousands of troops from its border with Pakistan to ease tensions.
The troops will not be pulled back beyond the ceasefire line that divides the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir between the two nuclear-armed rivals.
Pakistan welcomed the announcement, but said troops on the ceasefire line should also be withdrawn. The announced pullback ‘‘seems to be a positive move,’’ Pakistani Information Minister Nisar Memon said.
Last week, EU leaders pressed Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s to move towards dialogue with Pakistan. But in announcing the troop movements, Indian Defence Minister George Fernandes ruled out any new talks with Pakistan.
