Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Wednesday said the US would support all efforts for the early resumption of the composite dialogue between India and Pakistan, as she responded to Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani's call for US meditation in resolving outstanding issues like Kashmir.
During a meeting with Clinton, Gilani called on the US to mediate "between Pakistan and India on core interests namely Kashmir (and) water issues as well as help Pakistan enhance its defence capability to maintain balance of power," said a statement issued by the premier's office.
The statement quoted Clinton as commending Gilani "for his stance of reconciliation and the desire for improving relations with India through resolution of all outstanding issues by resuming the composite dialogue".
She said that while she was aware that "it is a difficult process, the US government would support efforts for early resumption of the composite dialogue".
India put the composite dialogue on hold in the wake of the Mumbai terror attacks and linked the resumption of the peace process to action being taken against the perpetrators of the assault.
Clinton arrived in Islamabad on Wednesday afternoon for talks with the top Pakistani leadership on the ongoing war on terror and bilateral cooperation.
