October 18, 2002	Friday	Sha'aban 11, 1423

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ATLANTA, Oct 17: The United States on Thursday welcomed announcements by India and Pakistan that they would withdraw troops from their common border as positive developments that should reduce tensions between the two countries.

“There are a couple of positive developments in the region that will help reduce tensions,” White House spokesman Scott McClellan told reporters travelling here with President George W. Bush.

Mr McClellan said that the United States was hopeful that the developments could “create an atmosphere conducive to dialogue between the two nations”.

India and Pakistan have together around a million troops massed along both their international border and the Line of Control.—AFP