US-British force could be sent to defuse tensions in Kashmir

The United States is to propose a joint US-British military monitoring force for Kashmir in an attempt to defuse the threat of a nuclear conflict between India and Pakistan.

The helicopter-borne troops would be used to patrol the disputed border. India has long complained that militants infiltrate Indian Kashmir from the Pakistani side.

The US Defence Secretary, Donald Rumsfeld, will put forward the proposal for a "verification force" when he visits the subcontinent next week, according to defence and diplomatic sources. President George Bush telephoned Pakistan's President, General Pervez Musharraf, and India's Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, last night to impress on them the need to "take steps to reduce the risk of war".

About 500 troops would be needed for a verification mission, according to diplomatic sources, and they would work with Indian and Pakistani security forces.

Washington and London believe the force may be welcomed by General Musharraf, because of the opposition he faces from elements of his army and intelligence service that are sympathetic to the insurgents and have helped their raids.

Pakistan wants to internationalise the Kashmir dispute and would point to US-UK military involvement as evidence that it had succeeded. India, which opposes internationalisation, may still support a British and American force because its role would be strictly defined and would make it harder for militants to infiltrate.

An Indian proposal for joint patrols by Indian and Pakistani soldiers was rejected yesterday by Pakistan.

Mr Rumsfeld, on a visit to London yesterday, highlighted the need for urgent action. "We have a stake in those two countries not setting themselves back. The world has an interest in this."