Washington: Observing that progress was being made on relations between India and Pakistan, US President George W Bush has hoped that the two countries could get some "sticky issues" resolved for the sake of world peace.

"I'm pleased with the fact that progress is now being made on the relationship between Pakistan and India. I don't know if you remember, I think it was in the year 2001 - I don't see many foreign policy kind of reporters here - but 2001 was the year that we had shuttle diplomacy to convince Pakistan and India not to go to war with each other," Bush said speaking to newspaper editors yesterday (Apr 21, 2004).

He said Secretary of State Colin Powell and British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw and later Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage went to the region.

"Then whoever his equivalent is from Great Britain went, with the idea of kind of talking everybody down. And now, quite the opposite, they're (India and Pakistan) talking with each other in a positive way, and hopefully can get some sticky issues resolved, for the sake of world peace and stability in that part of the world.

"I think progress is being made. But we can always - we will always find ways to improve our alliances," he said.

Bush praised Pakistan President Musharraf for dumping the Taliban and fighting terrorism.