Washington: The US Secretary of State Colin Powell and his Pakistani counterpart Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri have expressed the hope that the "road map" of peace between India and Pakistan would remain on track despite the change of Government in India.

As regards the new Indian leadership, "We are looking forward to working with them. We have a solid agenda with the Indian people covering all aspects of our relationship and we see no reason why they should not continue to be pursued with the new Government," Powell said yesterday (May 19, 2004).

"A road map has been worked out between India and Pakistan on their relationship which they have followed and which seems to be still very much active and we expect both sides will continue to walk down that path," Powell said after his meeting with Kasuri at the US State Department.

Kasuri said that Pakistan was committed to the peace process with India, and has invested a great deal of time and effort on this.

"We discussed the situation emerging out of the new elections in India and the Secretary felt and I agreed with him that in view of the work that has already been done and the good vibes that are coming from the leaders of the would be Government, we both agree these are positive signals and we need to continue with that," Kasuri said.

"I am certain that the Government of Pakistan is committed to continuing the peace process and I look forward to the Government of India doing the same."

The Pakistani Foreign Minister said that he and Powell discussed the regional and international situation.

Powell said that he conveyed US appreciation for Pakistan's efforts in the war against terrorism and especially the need to continue their cooperation in dealing with the al-Qaeda and Taliban remnants who go back and forth on both sides of the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

They also discussed the situation concerning nuclear proliferation of disgraced Pakistani scientist A Q Khan.

The US, said Powell, was very pleased with what the Pakistani Government has been doing and will look forward to continuing their exchange of information.

Powell said he briefed Kasuri with respect to Iraq and the efforts the US is putting forward now to work with Ambassador Lakhdar Brahimi in selecting the interim Government leadership.

The US is determined to transfer sovereignty to an Iraqi interim Government by the end of June, he said.

The two leaders also discussed the efforts and reforms, which are part of the Middle East initiative.

Pakistan's concerns about the detainees (at Guantanamo) and the efforts being made to resolve outstanding issues concerning Pakistani detainees also figured during the meeting.

The conversation, said Powell, was "candid and forthright".