"It is wonderful that India was able to step forward with assistance as it did as quickly as it did," US Secretary of State Christina Rocca said in an interview to Voice of America, which launched its programme through Pakistan's Geo TV on Monday.

On the peace process she said "India and Pakistan have showed great statesmanship in the efforts they have made for peace up to now. I think we are certainly encouraging any progress in the direction of the peace India and Pakistan wanted. We are very much encouraging that."

Rocca was in Islamabad with a high-level delegation of US officials to hold talks with President Pervez Musharraf [Images] in mobilising more resources for rehabilitation and reconstruction of quake-hit areas in Pakistan.

Besides pledging 25 million dollars for relief and rehabilitation of the earthquake victims in Pakistan, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh [Images] has offered to take up reconstruction projects in the quake-hit areas depending on Islamabad's advice.

Accepting Pakistan's invitation to India to take part in a International Ministerial conference being organised by President Pervez Musharraf here on November 19, Singh in a letter to his Pakistan counterpart Shaukat Aziz on Saturday expressed India's willingness to take up reconstruction projects in Pakistan, officials in Islamabad said.

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