New Delhi: Ahead of his next week's visit to the region, US Secretary of State Colin Powell tonight (Mar 12, 2004) said "farsighted steps" taken by Indian and Pakistani leadership have given "fresh hope" to their peoples and assured that Washington will remain a "steadfast friend and supporter" of the peacemakers on both sides.

"This is a time when statesmanship, vision and determination can bring about historic change," he said in a video message to the two-day 'India Today' conclave in New Delhi.

"The farsighted steps toward the peaceful resolution of disputes being taken by India and Pakistan under the leadership of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and President Pervez Musharraf have given fresh hope to the citizens of both countries," he said.

Powell, who arrives in New Delhi on Monday night (Mar 15, 2004) on a two-day visit for talks with Vajpayee and other leaders before emplaning for Pakistan as also undertaking a visit to Afghanistan, recalled that two years back, the Asian neighbours were spiralling toward conflict.

"Now they are shaping a composite dialogue and expanding bilateral trade and people-to-people ties," the Secretary of State said.

Powell would be holding wide-ranging discussions with External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha on bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual concern and would also be meeting his old friend and Finance Minister Jaswant Singh, National Security Adviser Brajesh Mishra and Congress president Sonia Gandhi during his stay.

Powell said the US desired "close relationships" with each country in the South Asian region.

"In the coming months as India and Pakistan work to resolve their differences, the US will remain a steadfast friend and supporter of the peacemakers on both sides and we will continue to build strong bilateral ties with each country in its own right," he said.

Referring to US President George W Bush and Vajpayee deciding on variety of steps to deepen and expand the strategic partnership between the two countries, Powell said he looked forward to advancing this during his visit to the region.

Observing that a thriving, peaceful, democratic India was taking its place on the world stage, he said the US looked forward to acting in close partnership with it.

"In the years ahead, I see the US-Indian partnership becoming as rich and vibrant as a Bollywood blockbuster. To be sure, there will be twists and turns of plot and some challenges for the characters to overcome, but I have no doubt there will be a happily-ever-after result for India, for America and for the world community," he said.

Both New Delhi and Washington were working to create an environment that increased economic activity between the two countries including high-tech commerce, he said.

"We also seek to enhance our collaboration on civilian nuclear cooperation and peaceful uses of space technology," Powell said, adding the two sides had also embarked upon a dialogue on strategic stability.