New Delhi, Oct 23: The United States, Britain, China, Japan and France today welcomed the fresh proposals announced by India to normalise ties with Pakistan and hoped that these would provide a "solid foundation" for resolving bilateral disputes and build greater confidence and trust between the two neighbours. "They represent a major step toward establishing normal links between these two important neighbours, providing a foundation for real progress in resolving differences," us assistant Secretary of State Christina Rocca said in Washington.
She lauded the proposals to "significantly upgrade transportation links and people-to-people contacts between India and Pakistan." Ahead of Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf's visit to China, a key ally of Pakistan, Beijing patted India for initiating new steps to ease the situation in South Asia, which is in accordance with the wishes of the international community. Bureau Report