ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Dec. 2 (UPI) -- India's foreign ministry was silent Tuesday after Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf proposed both Pakistan and India withdraw their troops from Kashmir.
Musharraf told the BBC Monday Pakistan would immediately withdraw the 50,000 troops it maintains if India were to do the same across the Line of Control with its 700,000 soldiers.
He also pledged to award Pakistan's highest civilian honor to India's prime minister if he helps solve the Kashmir dispute.
Pakistan and India have fought two wars for total control over divided Kashmir.
Asked about Musharraf's comments during a Tuesday news conference in New Delhi, Indian Foreign Secretary Shashank's only comment was: "I don't think we are giving reactions to each statement made by Pakistan."
Shashank, however, expressed India's willingness to press ahead on other bilateral issues, including the restoration of train links, saying New Delhi has proposed holding technical talks with Pakistan later this month on resuming train service.
Shashank also confirmed Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee would attend next month's regional Saarc summit in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad.
Vajpayee has already said he hopes to meet Pakistani Prime Minister Zafarullah Khan Jamali during the summit.
