US hopes Indo-Pak talks will help 'normalise ties'

On the eve of the first post 26/11 Indo-Pak foreign secretary talks, the US is optimistic about it resulting in a sustained dialogue between the two for moving towards a more normalised relation.

"We are hopeful that the February 25 talks in New Delhi will result in a sustained ongoing dialogue that is aimed at addressing the differences and unresolved issues between India and Pakistan," the White House spokesman, Mike Hammer, told Press Trust of India.

However, the US has repeatedly ruled out any role for itself in talks between India and Pakistan. The US strongly believes that an open dialogue is the best way to move toward more normalised relations and for promoting stability in the region, Hammer said and praised the leaders of the two countries on their decision to go ahead of the talks.

"We praise the leaders of both countries for their decision to go ahead with the talks and look forward to learning about their outcome," he said. The US is extremely supportive of any steps that India and Pakistan are able to take to engage in bilateral dialogue and to reduce tensions between their two countries, Hammer said in response to a question.

The Obama Administration is keenly watching the developments in the Indian subcontinent as the two Foreign Secretaries meet in New Delhi on Thursday; as it believes that a peaceful relationship between India and Pakistan is one of the key factors for its success in the war against terrorism in Afghanistan.

Top officials of the Obama Administration has repeatedly refused any mediator's role between the two South Asian neighbours, but have said that it would encourage New Delhi and Islamabad to engage in a dialogue to resolve its all differences.