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WASHINGTON, Oct 16 (AFP) - The United States on Wednesday welcomed India's decision to withdraw some troops massed for 10 months on its frontiers with bitter rival Pakistan.

"We welcome India's announcement of a withdrawal of some of its troops from the border with Pakistan," said Julie Reside, a State Department spokeswoman.

The move, a major step towards easing inflamed tensions in South Asia, does not apply to the disputed region of Kashmir, Indian officials said.

The United States has been pushing for a troop stand down as a first step to soothing the simmering crisis between India and Pakistan, which has several times threatened to escalate into a full scale war.

There has so far been no response to India's announcement from Pakistan.

India has about 700,000 troops deployed at its borders with Pakistan. The standoff was triggered by a December 13 attack on India's parliament by gunmen New Delhi claims were sponsored by Islamabad.

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