Islamabad: Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf on August 15 asserted the centrality of Kashmir issue in relations with India while warning the Muslim world of "dangers" posed by an Indo-Israel nexus.

During his talks with visiting Syrian Foreign Minister Farooq Al Shara who urged peaceful resolution of all outstanding issues between New Delhi and Islamabad, Musharraf said Pakistan would not allow sidelining of the Kashmir issue.

Musharraf reiterated warnings that Pakistan would hit back with "full force" if it was attacked by India.

"Pakistan would not initiate a conflict with India. It would defend its territory, honour and dignity with full force if a war is imposed on Pakistan," he said.

He termed the coming Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir as farcical and said that they were not a substitute to plebiscite.

In an effort to evince support from the Muslim world, he said an Indo-Israel nexus posed dangers to the Muslim world and the Islamic countries should take a "unified and concrete steps" in this direction.

Speaking to the state-run Pakistan Television later, Al Shara who is visiting the region as envoy of Syrian President Buras Arsad, said that during his talks in New Delhi and Islamabad, he discussed the need for India and Pakistan to resolve their differences peacefully.

He also meet Pakistan Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Inamul Haq and discussed the current state of Indo-Pak relations. Haq said Pakistan welcomed Syrian initiative to defuse tension between the two South Asian neighbours.

The Middle East Conflict also came up during discussions between the leaders of the two countries.

PTI