NEWSLINKS US EDITION SOUTH ASIA COLUMNISTS DIARY SPECIALS INTERVIEWS CAPITAL BUZZ REDIFF POLL THE STATES ELECTIONS ARCHIVES US ARCHIVES SEARCH REDIFF
The United States on Friday said a war between India and Pakistan would deal a "heavy blow" to the US-led war against terrorism and urged New Delhi to be patient while dealing with Islamabad.
"With all the success we have seen in the last four months with respect to the campaign against terrorism in that part of the world, it would be a disaster if this now were fought out on the field of battle," Secretary of State Colin Powell said.
Powell said India should not judge Pervez Musharraf's commitment to fighting terrorism by a speech that the Pakistani president is going to deliver on Saturday.
It is expected that Musharraf would make a strong statement against terrorism in his address to the nation.
"Tomorrow is an important day," Powell said. The secretary of state will travel next week to both India and Pakistan in an effort to cool tensions between the two countries.
In addition to urging the Indians to be patient, Powell also said he had told New Delhi that Musharraf had already taken some steps to rein in terrorists.
"We've also pointed out to the Indian government that the Pakistani government has taken a number of actions in recent weeks that should be encouraging to you," he said.
"You have to give him (Musharraf) credit," Powell said.
Agencies
Back to top
Tell us what you think of this report
Call India
