NEW DELHI -- The leaderships of nuclear powers Pakistan and India both face crucial political tests Tuesday, turning their attention away from a dangerous four-month build-up at the border.

Pakistani military ruler Pervez Musharraf is looking to cement his presidency for another five years in a referendum, while in India the ruling Hindu nationalists face a censure vote in Parliament over anti-Muslim riots in the western state of Gujarat.

With Musharraf and Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee both forced to turn to their constituents, neither has changed their position on the situation at the borders, where about one million troops have been deployed since mid-December, AFP reported.

Tensions between the South Asian states, which have fought three wars since independence in 1947, were sent spiralling on December 13, when Islamic militants allegedly linked to Pakistan raided the Indian Parliament.

Pakistan says it has since taken strong measures against extremists, including banning the two outfits India holds responsible for the Parliament attack that claimed 14 lives.

But New Delhi contends there has been no let-up in the infiltration of Islamic guerrillas into its zone of Kashmir, the scene of a 13-year-old separatist insurgency.

It also says Musharraf's initial zeal against extremists has lost steam, with many jailed militants walking free.

Musharraf has underlined his attempts to stamp out Islamic extremism during his referendum rallies, but he has been referring to the sectarian violence that has rocked Pakistan rather than the Kashmir separatist struggle.