India has denounced remarks by Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf that his country's nuclear capability stopped India attacking during the recent stand-off over Kashmir.

The international community should not ignore such continued manifestations of Pakistani irresponsibility

Indian spokeswoman Nirupama Rao

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Nirupama Rao described his comments as "nuclear blackmail."

She said the world should not ignore "such... loose talk and undiluted hostility towards India."

President Musharraf told a gathering of scientists and engineers on Monday that the country's three ballistic missile tests in May had "completed" its deterrent capability and brought about "strategic balance" in the region.

He said they were compelled to carry out the controversial missile tests to show India they were not bluffing.

Escalation fears

President Musharraf said that in May 1998 they had carried out nuclear tests to show India they were not bluffing about their capability.

President Musharraf: Strategic balance restored

"And in May 2002 again we were compelled to show that we do not bluff," he added.

He said that India's inability to attack Pakistan or carry out a limited war demonstrated that Pakistan's conventional and nuclear capability did deter aggression.

Pakistan's tests of ballistic missiles came at the height of the crisis with India and prompted international fears they could escalate the situation.

The international community also expressed concern about Pakistan's refusal to endorse a "no first strike" policy.

Tension between the two countries has eased slightly in the past week after they came close to war following an attack by militants in the disputed territory of Kashmir.

However, India has ruled out any further moves to de-escalate the situation until Pakistan does more to curb the activities of militants.