US backs India-Pak dialogue to counter terrorism

The US has said it will support continuing dialogue between India and Pakistan them to find joint solutions to counter terrorism and to promote regional stability, but leave it to them how to go about it.

"We will also continue to support dialogue between Indian and Pakistani leaders," Robert O Blake, Jr, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, told a panel of the House of Representatives on Thursday.

"The timing, scope, and content of any such dialogue are strictly matters for Pakistani and Indian leaders to decide."

Referring to the June 16 meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit," Blake said such high-level engagement in the aftermath of the Mumbai terrorist attacks is encouraging

"India and Pakistan face common challenges, and we will support continuing dialogue to find joint solutions to counter terrorism and to promote regional stability," he said giving a regional overview of South Asia to the House Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia.