Islamabad: Ahead of his South Asia visit to discuss the fresh peace overtures by India and Pakistan, US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage held a key meeting with Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief lieutenant general Ehsanul Huq in Washington.

The meeting between Armitage and general Huq, who arrived in Washington on May 4 for a week-long visit, took place on May 5. US officials are seeking a full briefing on militancy in Kashmir before Armitage's mission to Afghanistan, Pakistan and India.

Although both US and Pakistani officials refused to give any detail about his visit, general Huq's itinerary revealed the significance of his mission as he was scheduled to meet top American officials, local daily 'Dawn' said.

Besides Armitage, the ISI chief met Secretary of State Colin Powell and Vice-President Dick Cheney, the paper said. General Huq is also scheduled to meet US National Security Adviser Condoleeza Rice and Homeland Security Chief Tom Ridge.

The paper also reported that Armitage flew from Washington to London to hold talks with Indian National Security Adviser Brajesh Mishra. It did not provide details.

Armitage accompanied by US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Christina Rocca would arrive in Islamabad late on May 7 and meet top Pakistani leaders on May 8, a US Embassy spokesman said.

They would meet President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Jamali to discuss the progress of the India-Pak peace initiatives and the issues relating to Pakistan and Afghanistan. Armitage and Rocca would also discuss concerns expressed by Afghan President Hamid Karzai about the infiltration of Taleban militants into Afghanistan to Pakistan, reports said.

PTI