WASHINGTON, March 23: The United States has said it is not engaged in a zero-sum game vis-a-vis Washington’s ties with both India and Pakistan, pointing out that all roads lead to Kashmir which should be settled “through dialogue between the two countries.”

Harry Thomas, Director in charge of South Asia at President Bush’s National Security Council, also told Indian community leaders on Friday in categorical terms that a war between the two countries “is unthinkable” and would be devastating.

Referring to the US relationship with both India and Pakistan, Thomas said: “We are not in a zero-sum game (that is friendship with one leads to poor relations with the other). But all roads lead to Kashmir”.

Thomas appreciated President Musharraf’s role in global fight against terrorism and mentioning Indian leader, again pointed out the importance of Kashmir dispute and the need to resolve it through dialogue.

“President Musharraf is an ally of the US. He is of tremendous assistance to us in the war against terrorism.

“Similarly, Indian Prime Minister Vajpayee is determined to fight terrorism. You have got to get past this. The more important thing is, all roads lead through Kashmir, and we need political dialogue between India and Pakistan.”

HE SAID: “The US does not want India and Pakistan go to war and Washington is working to prevent that war from happening.”