US hails India, Pak for talks post Pune attack

Commending the political leadership of India and Pakistan, the Obama administration has said it is encouraged that the terrorist attack in Pune did not derail the resumption of peace talks between the two South Asian neighbours.

"We are most pleased with the political courage showed by leaders on both sides (of Pakistan and India) that notwithstanding the attack which was directly aimed at derailing this dialogue, that there is this political commitment to move forward with talks. We think that's going to be extremely important," the assistant secretary of state for political affairs, P J Crowley, told reporters at his daily news conference.

Foreign secretaries of India and Pakistan are scheduled to meet on February 25. "This is vitally important. There have been times in the past where India and Pakistan have had formal and informal dialogue. We think that this is a vitally important relationship to stability in the region," Crowley said.

When asked what are America's expectations from the February 25th meeting, Crowley said: "I think the real key is: What are the expectations on both sides? But we think that there are significant issues. There are tensions, obviously, in the relationship, but they can be best resolved through dialogue."

Noting that India and Pakistan share a threat of extremism, Crowley said the Obama administration is totally supportive of these meetings and look forward to seeing the results.

"We are encouraged that notwithstanding the tragic attack in India, that this is not derailing important dialogue between Pakistan and India. So I think this indicates that we have momentum on our side, that there are lots of things to be encouraged by, but I don't think we're at the point where we can declare victory," Crowley said.