Washington: The US has applauded the "vision and determination" displayed by India and Pakistan during the first round of talks between the two countries when they chalked out a timetable for a composite dialogue.

"We welcome these efforts and applaud the vision and the determination of the Governments of India and Pakistan to seek a peaceful settlement of all bilateral issues," White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan said yesterday (Feb 19, 2004).

"We have been in close contact with leaders in Pakistan and India for quite some time. There was certainly a period there where tensions were on the up-rise, and now I think you are seeing that tensions are decreasing in the region.

"And we saw the joint statement that was put out at the end of the initial talks between the Foreign Secretaries of Pakistan and India. And that lays out a schedule for bilateral discussions," he added.