NEW DELHI, Feb 13: US Assistant Secretary of State Christina Rocca on Friday met the two Indian officials who would be leading theresumption of formal talks between India and Pakistan in Islamabad next week.

Ms Rocca met Mr Arun Singh, the point person in the Indian foreign ministry who would hold talks with his counterpart Mr Jalil Abbas Jilani on Monday. She also met the Indian foreign secretary, Mr Shashank, as the US State Department claimed credit for the forthcoming talks. Mr Shashank will meet his counterpart in Islamabad on Wednesday.

An Indian statement said Ms. Rocca had met the two officials and a few others but gave no details. Meanwhile American Ambassador to Pakistan, Ms. Nancy Powell, said to be on a private visit to New Delhi, met Ms Rocca and was also scheduled to hold an informal meeting with Pakistan's High Commissioner Aziz Ahmed Khan on Saturday.

"The India-US regional dialogue is one of the elements of the institutionalised political and strategic dialogue between the two countries to share perspectives and harmonise approaches on issues of mutual concern in India's extended neighbourhood," the Indian statement said, acknowledging Ms Rocca's visit.

"The dialogue symbolizes the continuing transformation in India-US bilateral relations," it said. Indian media reports said there that India's largest gas distribution and marketing company, Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL), may be exploring business opportunities in Pakistan.