ISLAMABAD - Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf warned Wednesday that ongoing rapprochement between Pakistan and India could derail if there was no progress on the Kashmir issue.
"If progress is not made on the resolution of the real problems, the confidence building measures will lose their impact," Musharraf said as he addressed a grand military parade marking the country's national day.
"We want peace and we want to resolve problems through negotiations but we will never accept any pressure," he told the elite gathering at the military show near the parliament.
He said Pakistan and India would have to show sincerity, courage and flexibility for the resolution of issues including Kashmir, which has caused two of the three wars between the nuclear-armed neighbour, and brought them close to a fourth war in 2002.
"We have to find options for Kashmir solution which are acceptable to India, Pakistan and the people of Kashmir," he said.
The South Asian neighbours have been holding talks since January last year aimed at resolving disputes, including the thorny problem of dvidided Kashmir.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai was the chief guest at the parade. He stood at the podium with Musharraf who wore civilian national dress along with Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz watching the military parade.
US built F-16 fighter jets, French Mirages and F-7 jets bought from China had roared overhead in formations of four to start the ceremony.
Musharraf is due to visit India on April 17 to meet Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and watch a cricket match.
03/23/2005 06:18 GMT