National Security Adviser Brajesh Mishra on Monday held talks with his American counterpart Condoleeza Rice.

Mishra, who was visiting Washington a few days after the Indo-Russian summit in New Delhi, was understood to have told Rice that resumption of dialogue with Pakistan was not possible until Islamabad completely stopped infiltration and dismantled terrorist infrastructure in its territory, as pledged by President Pervez Musharraf.

The issue of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction held by Pakistan and the possibility of their falling into the hands of terrorists was also believed to have figured during the talks.

The two officials exchanged views on the Iraq crisis. Mishra was understood to have told Rice that India was against unilateral use of force against Baghdad if it failed to comply with UN resolutions on dismantling its weapons of mass destruction. Any action against Baghdad must have the mandate of the United Nations, he was believed to have said.

Asked about the meeting, a spokesman of the National Security Council, Sean McCormack, said, "It is another in the ongoing series of meetings between Rice and Mishra. They have a good working relationship and Rice values the relationship."

Mishra was scheduled to meet Secretary of State Colin Powell later in the day. He will also meet Deputy Defence Secretary Paul Wolfowitz and Central Intelligence Agency chief George Tenet.