May 15, 2003	Thursday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 12, 1424

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MOSCOW, May 14: Indian Foreign Minister Yashwant Sinha met US Secretary of State Colin Powell in Moscow on Wednesday for talks on recent peace moves between India and Pakistan.

The two top diplomats held brief discussions early Wednesday before heading for separate talks with Russian officials during their overlapping visit to the Russian capital.

Mr Sinha told journalists that the meeting — organized at the last minute when the two realized they would be in Moscow at the same time — “was just carrying forward the dialogue” between Washington and New Delhi.

Mr Sinha’s talks with Mr Powell came less than one week after US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage visited India and Pakistan in an attempt to bring the two sides closer.

In New Delhi, foreign ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna said Mr Sinha explained to Mr Powell the rationale behind Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee’s recent peace initiative with Pakistan and his reasons for adopting a step-by-step approach.

“It was clear from the conversation that the US accepts the validity of such an approach,” Mr Sarna said.

Mr Sinha “also stressed the importance of an assurance (from Pakistan) that the process will not be disrupted by terrorist attacks,” he said.

Mr Powell, in turn, “mentioned that the US will continue to stress upon Pakistan to put an end to cross-border terrorism,” the Indian spokesman said.

Mr Sinha and Mr Powell also discussed other international issues including a UN resolution on Iraq, Mr Sarna said.

The peace bid between India and Pakistan was also due to top the agenda during Mr Sinha’s talks with Russian diplomats, Russian foreign ministry spokesman Alexander Yakovenko said, quoted by ITAR-TASS.—AFP