WASHINGTON, May 21: British Foreign Secretary David Miliband told a US audience on Wednesday that his government supports talks between Pakistan’s new rulers and tribal leaders aimed at curbing insurgency along the Afghan border.

In a speech to a Washington think-tank, Mr Miliband said there was “no military solution” to the spread of militancy in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The British foreign secretary is scheduled to meet US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Wednesday evening for talks expected to focus on Pakistan’s effort to seek a negotiated solution to insurgency in its tribal region.

He visited Pakistan last month for talks with the new government and backed the talks with militants, but warned that there should only be reconciliation with those who renounce violence.

Mr Miliband’s views contrast sharply with those of the US administration which opposes talks with the militants and also backs President Pervez Musharraf in his effort to retain some powers in the new administrative set-up in Pakistan.