India, Pakistan edge towards peace, says Powell

US Secretary of State Colin Powell, in South Asia to reduce tensions between Pakistan and India, said yesterday that the nuclear neighbours appeared to be inching toward talks that could lead to a lasting peace.

India says it would not consider dialogue with Pakistan until it is convinced that Pakistan-based militants have halted incursions into the Indian-controlled portion of the disputed Kashmir region.

After meeting with Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf, Mr Powell expressed hope that the recent reduction in tensions and "preliminary de-escalatory steps" would bring the rivals to the bargaining table.

"I think the possibility of dialogue in the near future is something that can be achieved," Mr Powell told a news conference in the Pakistani capital.

India contends that infiltrations are continuing although it acknowledges their level has been reduced but Gen Musharraf told reporters separately that they had been entirely halted: "It is not taking place now. Whatever the Indian side is saying is absolutely baseless. I don't have to do anything because we've already done it." Mr Powell characterised Gen Musharraf's denial as "assurances," a phrase underlining the delicacy of the situation. During an earlier stop in India he said: "I think there has been a reduction in infiltration levels (but) infiltration is continuing."

Mr Powell's four-hour stop in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad was part of his third visit to the region since October.

He left later yesterday for Bangkok, Thailand.

In his talks with Gen Musharraf, Mr Powell had to juggle Washington's need for Pakistan's support to capture fleeing al-Qaida and Taliban fighters with demands that cross-border attacks into Indian Kashmir come to an end.