India 'friendship' overture

India has rejected Pakistan’s offer for mutual destruction of nuclear arsenals, but the Indian prime minister has said his country is seeking ”friendship” with its South Asian neighbour.

The nuclear disarmament offer came from Pakistan’s foreign minister earlier in the week as part of a series of goodwill gestures starting with plans to exchange ambassadors as a first step towards improving relations.

US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage, who is in the region to encourage the fence-mending, met Pakistani leaders yesterday and was due to travel to India today for talks with leaders tomorrow. He praised both Islamabad and New Delhi for their efforts at reconciliation.