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India, Pakistan aware of war's risks: Rumsfeld

United States Defence Secretary said on Saturday that India and Pakistan were aware of the risks posed by conflict and more diplomatic efforts were required to defuse tensions between the two.

"I think they are both sensitive to the risks and I was impressed in talking to them and I think they are both asserting leadership in a way that is positive rather than negative," Rumsfeld told reporters while flying from Pakistan to Bahrain on Thursday.

He said that India and Pakistan "recognise that its always proper to fire in self-defence" and to prevent territorial infiltration, but beyond that, less artillery shelling and more diplomatic talk would be desirable.

When asked if he discussed nuclear weapons with Indian and Pakistani leaders, Rumsfeld said, "I am not going to talk about nuclear weapons. I think that the elevation of that subject is past us and both of those leaders [Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee] are managing their affairs the way people responsible for weapons of that power ought to manage them."

"I think to get in and start discussing that isn't useful," he added.

PTI

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