Even Mr Rumsfeld admits that diplomatic efforts, however intense, can only go so far to prevent India and Pakistan from escalating the conflict.

ECONOMIST: War and terrorism | The

In all, despite some promising moves in recent days, it will be some time before the seemingly eternal conflict between India and Pakistan can be confined to the cricket pitch.

ECONOMIST: Back to playing cricket

India and Pakistan share a long history of distrust and enmity, marked by sporadic military conflict.

FORBES: Fact and Comment

India and Pakistan may have a long history of conflict.

BBC: India��s beautiful border ritual

Yet another said he had only heard of Kashmir before this and wasn't particularly interested in Pakistan's conflict with India over this Himalayan region.

BBC: NEWS | South Asia | Cold is new danger for quake victims

India and Pakistan teetering on the brink, perhaps a little bit back from the brink, of nuclear conflict.

BBC: Breakfast with Frost

Conflict with nuclear-armed Pakistan is hardly a far-fetched scenario India and Pakistan have fought three wars since becoming independent in 1947.

ECONOMIST: As India's clout grows it will reshape the world around it

In June, India and Pakistan had their first-ever talks aimed at building mutual trust that could reduce the risk of nuclear conflict.

BBC: NEWS | South Asia | Pakistan tests mid-range missile

India's relationship with Pakistan, and an ongoing dispute over the Kashmir region have brought the two countries into conflict in the past.

CNN: World waits to see how Bush will handle global issues

The ongoing conflict in Kashmir - a simple question of sovereignty that has spawned two wars between Pakistan and India since 1947 - took on added significance earlier this year when both nations conducted underground tests of nuclear weapons.

CNN: A FAILURE AT THE TOP