Washington: Maintaining that US has a continuing interest in promoting stability in South Asia, Washington has said it is ready to assist India and Pakistan in their efforts to achieve peace in the region.

"As we have said many times before, and Deputy Secretary Armitage underscored during his visit, peace in the region, whether it is in Afghanistan or whether it is between India and Pakistan or whether in Nepal or in Sri Lanka, will be achieved through efforts of governments and people of South Asia, and the United States is ready to assist South Asians in their efforts, as they may request," state department spokesman Phil Reeker said on May 12.

He said the United States "has a continuing interest in strong relationships with each of the countries in the region and in promoting peace and stability."

PTI