Government warn citizens to leave Pakistan, India

The Government has advised Irish nationals to leave India and Pakistan as the two nuclear powers edge closer towards all-out war over the disputed region of Kashmir.

Following on the heels of yesterday’s decision by the UN to withdraw the family members of all UN staff in the area, the Department of the Foreign Affairs has called on Irish people to consider leaving the area as soon as possible.

The Department is also advising against travelling to either of the countries until the current stand-off is resolved.

Despite continuous reassurances by the leaders of both countries that nuclear weapons will not be used in any conflict, the threat of war is still very real with the UN estimating that up to 17 million people could be killed even if nuclear weapons are not used.

Earlier today, the Indian Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee ruled out holding talks with the Pakistani President, Pervez Musharraf, while attending a regional security conference.

Mr Musharraf says that he is willing to meet the Prime Minister but Mr Vajpayee appears to have rejected the proposal.