Bangkok: External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha on June 18 held wide-ranging talks with U S Secretary of State Colin Powell and discussed developments following Primer Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee's peace initiatives to improve relations with Pakistan.

During the 40-minute meeting on the sidelines of the Association for South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Regional Forum ministerial conclave in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh, the situation in the sub- continent was dwelt at length, Indian officials said.

The US request for India's participation in the stabilisation force in Iraq and other bilateral issues also figured in the parleys.

New Delhi has sought clarifications from a high-level Pentagon team that visited India earlier this week on several issues including the nature of forces that would be required for stability operations, their role and mandate and the relationship with the UN.

India also wanted clarification on the development of a responsible Iraqi interim administration, future political evolution in Iraq and the humanitarian relief and reconstruction activities.

Sinha also met Sar Kheng, Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister of Cambodia Hor Namhong.

PTI