NEW DELHI, Jan 18: India's Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani on Sunday welcomed the statement by Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf calling for a holy war against extremism, a report said.

Addressing a police science meeting in the northern Indian town of Karnal, Mr Advani said Musharraf's statement would go a long way towards curbing the spread of terrorism, the Press Trust of India news agency said.

"I welcome it. It is a very good statement. I strongly believe that such a stand by Pakistan will ensure that growth of terrorism is prevented in the region," Mr Advani was quoted as saying.

In his comments on Sunday, Mr Advani said Gen Musharraf had at a South Asian summit held in Islamabad earlier this month made it clear that Pakistan would not allow its territory to be used by terrorists.

"These statements have totally changed the situation in the region ... Terrorism in the name of jihad or anything else has to be fought jointly by all nations," Mr Advani said.-AFP