Pakistan on agenda of Indo-US talks

Given the current geo-political situation in South Asia, a top Obama Administration official on Thursday confirmed that Pakistan will figure in talks when Secretary of State Hillary Clinton meets Indian leaders during her upcoming visit to India.

Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Robert Blake appreciated the recent meetings between the leaders of India and Pakistan and identified it as a positive development.

"I am sure that Pakistan will be a subject of discussion during the meetings," Blake told reporters.

But Blake said there has already been quite a lot of dialogue between India and Pakistan, including the recent meeting between Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pak President Asif Ali Zardari. The two sides also have had meetings in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, where the Non-Aligned Summit is underway.

"The foreign secretaries -- both sides met on Tuesday, I believe. And I think the Prime Ministers are scheduled to meet Thursday. So I think there is already been good dialogue underway and certainly we welcome that," Blake said.

He said from these meetings the US would like to see greater understanding and progress particularly on the issue of Pakistan moving forward with prosecution of those responsible for the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.