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Powell arrives in India on Saturday

United States Secretary of State Colin Powell arrives in New Delhi on Saturday evening on his third visit to India since October, mainly focussed on easing Indo-Pak tensions and to encourage them to resume dialogue.

During his nearly 19-hour stay in India, before embarking for Pakistan, Powell will meet Deputy Prime Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani and hold extensive discussions on the current Indo-Pak situation and the entire gamut of Indo-US relations with External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha.

India will convey its serious concerns over Pakistan's continued support to terrorists operating against this country during the parleys, an external affairs ministry spokesperson told reporters on Friday.

No meeting has been scheduled between Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Powell.

To questions on why such a meeting is not taking place, the spokesperson said, "Please don't read ulterior meanings," adding it was a question of 'time and logistics'.

On the eve of his visit, Powell said in Washington that he would encourage further actions beyond those already taken to reduce the level of violence or the potential for violence in the region.

The American leader said he would also discuss the possibility of an Indo-Pak dialogue during his visit to the two countries.

Powell, accompanied by Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Christina Rocca, will also meet National Security Advisor Brajesh Mishra.

Rejecting the US description of Pakistan as a 'stalwart ally', the spokesperson said, "Pakistan's so-called contribution to the war against terrorism is difficult to describe as signifying that it is a stalwart ally because our own experience of Pakistan's role in promoting terrorism against India is very different."

She said, "Pakistan has had a very anti-India policy on this issue. It is against restoration of peace and normalcy in our relations."

She also accused Pakistan of consistently 'spurning constructive gestures' by India to reduce tensions. "Pakistan has a very duplicitous attitude when it comes to fighting terrorism,'' she said.

On the question of resumption of dialogue, India has made it clear that this could be considered only when Pakistan created a conducive atmosphere for this by honouring its pledges of ending infiltration and cross-border terrorism, including dismantling of terrorist infrastructure.

In Islamabad, a foreign office spokesman said Pakistan hoped that Powell would be able to convince India of the importance of holding dialogue.

On Sunday morning, Powell will address a press conference in New Delhi. He will leave for Islamabad shortly before noon and from there proceed to Brunei to attend the meeting of the ASEAN Regional Forum.

Terrorism Strikes in Jammu and Kashmir: The complete coverage

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