WASHINGTON, April 15: Secretary of State Colin Powell said Tuesday that the United States would continue to work with India and Pakistan to lower tensions in Kashmir.

The move shows a renewed US interest in another global flashpoint after successfully toppling the Saddam regime in Iraq.

US policy-makers have long felt that if not defused, the Kashmir dispute could lead to a nuclear conflict in South Asia, which is one of the world’s most populous regions.

Describing the militants attacks in the Indian-held Kashmir as acts of terrorism, Mr Powell said: “We have condemned terrorist attacks across the Line of Control, on the subcontinent, and we will continue to do so.”

“We believe that terrorism is terrorism, and it is not just an American phenomenon. It is a curse on the face of civilization and affects nations throughout the world,” he added.

He said the Bush administration will continue to work with the governments of Pakistan and India as it moves forward in its fight against terrorism.

“We will continue to do everything we can to lower the temperature in that part of the world and to see whether or not opportunities can be created for the two sides to enter into a dialogue,” Mr Powell.

He acknowledged that it has been “difficult (to initiate) dialogue (between Indian and Pakistan) over the years but there’s no alternative to direct talks for resolving the Kashmir dispute.

“But to solve this kind of a problem, I think, dialogue is the right solution, and a resort to force would not be the appropriate solution,” Secretary Powell said.