Bush urges rivals to ease tension

The attack in Mumbai left more than 170 people dead

US President George W Bush says he has called the leaders of Pakistan and India and all agree increased tension in the wake of Mumbai must be avoided.

Mr Bush called on both countries to co-operate in the investigation into the deadly attacks.

Earlier India's Home Minister P Chidambaram said Pakistan was "in denial" over the perpetrators.

Pakistan has said India has failed to share evidence into the attacks, that left more than 170 people dead.

Travel warning

White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said Mr Bush had "called Prime Minister [Manmohan] Singh of India and separately President [Asif Ali] Zardari of Pakistan.

"President Bush urged both... to co-operate with each other in the Mumbai attack investigation as well as on counter-terrorism in general."

Mr Chidambaram said anti-terror bills had been signed into law

Mr Johndroe said all three leaders "agreed that no-one wanted to take any steps that unnecessarily raise tensions".

The situation between the two South Asian nations remains tense.

There have been some reports of Pakistani troop redeployments to the Indian border region.

But Pakistan's president, prime minister and army chief have all this week urged an easing of tension.

India has denied taking any steps that would increase it. Delhi has urged its citizens not to travel to Pakistan in the current climate and has said the peace process with Pakistan is "paused".

Delhi blames Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba for the attacks. The group and the Pakistani government deny any involvement.

'State of denial'

Earlier Mr Chidambaram said there was enough evidence on who carried out the Mumbai attacks and that Pakistan was "in denial".

Mr Chidambaram confirmed Indian President Pratibha Patil had signed into law an anti-terrorism bill that will boost police powers and another that creates an FBI-style national investigation agency.

India says the statement by the surviving gunman is clear proof

Mr Chidambaram accused Pakistan of refusing to acknowledge the evidence of the Mumbai attacks.

"If anyone is in a state of denial, anything that we give will be denied," he said.

Mr Chidambaram cited the statement by surviving gunman Mohammed Ajmal Amir Qasab, which India has handed to Islamabad, and a reported confirmation of his identity by his father in Pakistan.

"If that is not evidence then what is?" Mr Chidambaram asked.

Pakistan has said it will be willing to help in an investigation but has not received evidence from Delhi.

It has said the gunman's statement, in which he asked for Pakistan consular help, was obtained under duress and would not stand up in court.

Separately, a report in the Wall Street Journal quotes an unidentified Pakistani security official as saying that a key Lashkar-e-Taiba leader, Zarar Shah, who Pakistan detained after the attacks, has confessed to involvement.

The official said there were intercepts of phone conversations between Zarar Shah and the attackers.

However the official's comments have not been corroborated and Pakistan has made no official statement.