ISLAMABAD, Jan 2: President Gen Pervez Musharraf has said Pakistan will respond with reciprocal action if any military action is taken against it.

He said this in an exclusive interview to Saudi Gazette and Okaz, appeared in their Wednesday’s issues.

Replying to another question about future ties with India, the President said: “Pakistan wants peace and stable relations with India at present, and in future.”

Referring to his visit to Agra where he met Vajpayee, he said Pakistan had taken the initiative and “I had invited Indian prime minister and foreign minister to visit Pakistan, so that the talks will continue.”

In India, he said, both the neighbours were about to sign a joint declaration when it was withdrawn. It could have been a landmark to lower the tension between the two countries.

He said: “ We tried our best to resolve all problems with India - especially Kashmir which is the major dispute between the two countries.”

Mr Musharraf said the Indians wanted to avoid discussion “because, once you start discussing everyone will hear that Pakistan is right, and India is not rational. This is why they’ve decided to avoid any talks on Kashmir.”

But Pakistan would continue to move towards dialogue and the peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue - in accordance with the wishes of the Kashmiris and UN Security Council resolution.—APP