New Delhi: Expressing confidence that Indo-US relations would continue to grow, Secretary of State Colin Powell tonight (May 29, 2004) said the two countries wished to build on the solid foundation that has been developed in recent years.

With regard to Pakistan, he said in an interview to NDTV 24x7 that the US would continue to have a "strong" relationship with that country and would not be supportive of any effort to change the Government that is not part of the political process.

He also lauded Musharraf for ripping up disgraced scientist A Q Khan's network of nuclear proliferation.

Powell said as two greatest Democracies, India and the US "should be natural allies and we are".

Referring to the conversation President George W Bush had with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his own talks with External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh, Powell said, "Clearly, we wish to build on solid foundation that has been developed in recent years and we are pleased that our agenda will move forward."

Touching on the strategic partnership and co-operation in other areas, he said, "I am quite confident that the relationship will continue to grow."

Asked if US would make a fresh request to the Indian Government to send troops to Iraq, he said, "If there is a formal request it will not be coming from the US, it will be coming from the new sovereign Government of Iraq that will be in place in July."