He was referring to the forthcoming three-day visit of Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to Moscow, scheduled for April 19-21.

``There will be no change in Russia's position on Kashmir,'' the source said, reaffirming Russia's policy.

``Even if Sharif raises the issue, he will be told Russia's stand for a political solution of the problem, on a bilateral basis, in accordance with the Simla agreement,'' he insisted.

In this context, the source also made it clear that Russia was against Pakistan's attempt to `internationalise' the Kashmir issue.

The source denied Pakistan's claim that Sharif's planned visit was kept away from India's knowledge.

In fact, the Russian side informed the Indian side about the visit ``quite in advance'' under the ``strategic partnership'' between the two countries, he said.

On arms supply toPakistan, he said Russia was categorically against supplying arms to Islamabad. However, it may consider selling something of ``semi-military nature''.

There is a broad consensus among all major political parties in Russia that there should be no arms supply to Pakistan, authoritative diplomatic sources said.

Pakistan has raised its stake on Sharif's visit as it is the first by a Pakistan Prime Minister in 25 years. Former prime minister Z A Bhutto had visited Moscow in 1974. Former foreign minister Gohar Ayub Khan was the last top Pakistani leader to visit Russia two years ago.

The Kosovo crisis, Afghanistan and the nuclear issue are expected to be high on the agenda. Regarding Kosovo, Russia will ask Pakistan to take a ``more balanced stand'', the source said. On the nuclear issue, Russia is expected to urge Islamabad to sign the CTBT and ``exercise restraint'' on nuclearisation and the missile programme.

Ahead of Sharif's visit to Moscow, Russian and Pakistani officials held talks on regionalsecurity and nuclear issues in Islamabad last week.

Sharif is likely to call on President Boris Yeltsin and will hold talks with Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov.