Washington, May 01: Praising New Delhi's "strong commitment to the global war against terrorism", the Bush administration has asked India and Pakistan to pursue the path of dialogue to resolve long-pending disputes between them. "We have always expressed strong concern over potential conflict between India and Pakistan. We believe encouragement to dialogue is most important. Conflicts are resolved through productive interaction, communications and negotiations", US counter-terrorism coordinator J Cofer Black told reporters last night. Black, who said India is respected for its "strong commitment to the global war against terrorism", however advised maximum restraint while dealing with Pakistan saying "military action should be the last approach since there are many other options to be exhausted". He said this has been the consistent US stand and what it encouraged whenever it dealt with representatives of both Pakistan and India. Asked about the agreement between US forces in Iraq and a proclaimed anti-Iranian terrorist outfit Mujahedeen-e-Khalk, Black said the agreement was a tactical decision and a prelude to the group's surrender.

Bureau Report