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'India won't provoke conflict with Pakistan'

PARIS: India will not provoke a conflict with neighboring Pakistan despite very tense relations between both countries, India's national Security Adviser Brajesh Mishra said.

"We will not be the first to take action, we will not provoke a conflict", Mishra, who is principal secretary to the Indian prime minister, told reporters on late Tuesday following a meeting with President Jacques Chirac and Defence Minister Alain Richard.

"I cannot speak for Pakistan", he added.

Mishra noted that tension between both countries had mounted sincce last year.

Mishra said that during his three-day visit here ending on Wednesday that he had discussed relations with Pakistan and defense matters with French officials.

He said negotiations were ongoing with France on various weapons deals which, he hinted, were conditional on Paris not concluding any more defense-related contracts with Pakistan.

"All contracts (with Pakistan) have been fulfilled and there are no new contracts", Mishra said.

Trade between India and France currently stands at two billion dollars a year and France has said it wants to double that amount by 2005.ÑAFP