Singh, Gilani meeting is good for region: US

On the eve of a crucial meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Pakistani counterpart Yusuf Raza Gilani, the United States on Wednesday said that it encourages such development which is good for the region.

Singh and Gilani are scheduled to meet on Thursday on the sidelines of the on going 16th SAARC Summit in Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan.

"We have encouraged the leaders of Pakistan and India, to restore, direct dialogue that has been characteristic of the relation between those two countries within the last few years. We're encouraged that they are taking steps to do that," Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs P J Crowley told reporters.

"I think we always think that when leaders of countries, you know, particularly countries with the history of - the unique history of India and Pakistan -- any time they can get together for high-level, constructive dialogue, that is good for the region, and we support it," Crowley said in response to a question.

Noting that the US is having its own strategic dialogue with both India and Pakistan and is planning for the next round of discussions with India in the next few weeks, Crowley said the United States has always encouraged the two South Asian countries that they need to restore a high-level dialogue that they have had in the not-too-distant past.

"You know, there have been significant steps by both countries, restore dialogue, both at the leader level and lower levels, and we certainly encourage that," Crowley said.

When asked about the SAARC Summit, where Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Robert Blake is attending the meet as an observer, Crowley said this is one of a number of important structures that is there, across the broader Asia region.

"We think they're important. We encourage them. And, as you see, both with, Secretary Blake's appearance at the SAARC, you know, the secretary is committed to strengthen the United States' ties to other structures, like ASEAN, this is an indication of our ongoing and deepening commitment to the region," Crowley said.