New Delhi: Outgoing US Ambassador Robert Blackwill on July 26 said that terrorists were still coming across the Line of Control (LoC) and made it clear to Pakistan that there would be "consequences" if promises made to President George W Bush on permanently ending terrorism are not honoured.

"The problems persist. There are still terrorists coming across the LoC," Blackwill said in the 'Walk the Talk' programme on NDTV 24x7.

"Of course, there are consequences" if promises made to the US President are not fulfilled. "We are working hard to make this point," he said.

"Promises made to the President of the US ought to be kept," Blackwill, who leaves in July end after his two-year tenure, has said.

The American Envoy also stressed that India and Pakistan should talk "seriously" about their nuclear weapons programme and have transparent confidence building measures.

"It has an urgency. It has such potentially catastrophic consequences. Chances are small, but they are not zero in the event of a major conventional conflict of nuclear weapons being used. If nuclear weapons are used in South Asia, it will change the world," he said.

Blackwill said the "big disappointment" during his tenure was that on the day he arrived there was "terrorism emanating from Pakistan" and the day he leaves it will still be there.

On Pakistan's description of militants in Jammu and Kashmir as "freedom fighters", he said, "There is no confusion on our part… A terrorist is a terrorist is a terrorist."

Terming Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee's peace initiative for improving ties with Pakistan as an act of "great statesmanship", Blackwill said the Indian leader had given "political space".

"There has certainly been an improvement in the atmosphere between the two neighbouring countries since this initiative was taken, he said.

Ruling out any US mediation on Kashmir, he said, "We are interested in the process… We don't have any formula. There is no blueprint from our side."

Blackwill said there was enormous opportunity for India and the US for moving ahead on their strategic partnership as also business ties.

PTI