Straw plans new Kashmir talks

The UK wants to stay engaged with India and Pakistan

Jack Straw is planning a new trip to India and Pakistan to continue talks over the disputed Kashmir region.

Tensions between the two countries have eased recently, but the foreign office said Mr Straw is keen to remain in close contact with New Delhi and Islamabad.

Jack Straw wants to remain engaged with Delhi and Islamabad

The two countries were on the brink of war earlier this year, with many fearing any clash could spark a nuclear conflict.

Mr Straw is planning to travel to the region later this month to continue the talks he held with both sides in a visit during May.

A foreign office spokesman said: "We welcome the lowering of tensions but the international community needs to remain engaged."

Cooling

The visit will allow Mr Straw to meet the new foreign ministers of India and Pakistan, appointed since he last visited the region.

At that time, the US and UK governments warned their citizens to leave the region immediately amid the threat of nuclear war.

There has been a cooling of the rhetoric between India and Pakistan since Mr Straw's visit and others by the US administration.

But India has claimed that infiltration by Muslim militants into Indian-controlled Kashmir from the Pakistani side of the region has risen recently.

The claim, which comes after Pakistan president General Musharraf pledged to crackdown on militants, was rejected by Islamabad.