Powell seeks Kashmir dialogue

The US-Pakistani rapprochement was on show in Islamabad

US Secretary of State Colin Powell is in Delhi for meetings with the Indian Government, as he continues efforts to shore up the coalition on terrorism.

His visit coincides with the heaviest fighting so far this year in the disputed territory of Kashmir, which is also expected to feature in the discussions.

We believe the Kashmir issue can be resolved if all parties engage with a willingness to address their concerns in mutually acceptable ways

Colin Powell

Mr Powell said in the Pakistani capital Islamabad that the issue of Kashmir was crucial to the stability of South Asia and he called on Pakistan and India to resolve the dispute through dialogue.

The Delhi visit follows talks with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, who pledged to support the US campaign in Afghanistan but said he hoped for a "short and targeted" military campaign.

Mr Powell's comments on Kashmir contrasted sharply with a warning by the Indian Government that it would be "ruthless" in dealing with infiltrators who India says are supported by Pakistan.

On Monday, India attacked at least 11 Pakistani positions along the Line of Control which separates the two sides in Kashmir.

Central issue

Mr Powell said: "We discussed ways to promote stability in South Asia, which as you all know is a critically important part of the world."

India is frustrated with what it sees as Pakistani support for terrorism

"We too believe that the Kashmir issue is central to the relationship and can be resolved if all parties engaged with a willingness to address their concerns in mutually acceptable ways."

But BBC correspondent Jon Leyne, who is travelling with the secretary of state, says that while Delhi will also offer co-operation with the campaign, Mr Powell will be meeting an Indian Government deeply frustrated with what it sees as continuing Pakistani support for terrorism in Kashmir.

This frustration may explain India's decision to launch new attacks on the eve of the visit.

So far the secretary of state has been relatively muted in his criticism of the Indian action, our correspondent says, but it is the sort of dangerous distraction the Americans will be keen to put a stop to.

Broad-based government

President Musharraf told Mr Powell earlier he regretted that by not handing over Saudi-born militant Osama Bin Laden, the Taleban authorities in Afghanistan had jeopardised the interests of their own people.

He said he and Mr Powell had agreed that any future Afghan administration must be broad-based and would include members of the opposition and some members of the Taleban.

There is fierce opposition in Pakistan to the US-led air strikes

But he warned that no warring faction should take advantage of the US raids to try to impose themselves on Afghanistan. That was an indirect reference to the opposition Northern Alliance, which Pakistan wants excluded from any major role in an Afghan government.

In his comments, Mr Powell paid tribute to what he called the bold and courageous stance of Pakistan in the campaign against terrorism, and promised US support to strengthen Pakistan's economy.

But in a sign of the fierce opposition among ordinary Pakistanis to America's military action against Afghanistan, thousands of shopkeepers staged a strike in protest at Mr Powell's visit - his first abroad since the attacks on 11 September.