Tuesday, March 15 2005 09:18 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Washington: Terming the developments in the India-Pakistan relations as "positive", the United States said that it continues to encourage dialogue between the two neighbours to reduce tensions in the region.

"There are encouraging signs between India and Pakistan as they have worked to improve their relations ... and we continue to encourage dialogue between the parties to reduce tensions in the region," White House spokesman Scott McClellan told reporters in Washington yesterday (Mar 14, 2005) before Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice embarked on her eight-day trip to South Asia and East Asia.

There were some positive developments recently in India, Pakistan relations, McClellan said without elaborating. "We will continue to work with all parties to support their efforts," he said.

McClellan said that the US believes it was important for India and Pakistan to work together.

Meanwhile, informed sources said that the main thrust of Rice's talks in New Delhi will be the increasingly cordial Indo-US relations.

High-tech US exports, the situation in Pakistan, Iraq and Afghanistan, joint exercises by armed forces of the two countries, the Next Steps in Strategic Partnership framework are some topics which are expected to figure in talks Rice would have with the Indian leadership today (Mar 15, 2005).

More than two-dozen US security personnel will be part of the elaborate security apparatus to be thrown around US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice who arrives in India today on her first visit to India.

Rice, who is on her first visit to India after assuming charge of the key post, will arrive in a special plane along with her security personnel armed with sophisticated weapons, informed sources said in New Delhi today.

She has been given the security reserved for a 'Distinguished Foreigner' scale though the US had been demanding for more, the sources said.

According to the agreed plan, the carcade of Rice will also include a pilot car from the American embassy besides some of the US security personnel.

The US personnel will also be manning the hotel where Rice would staying during her visit to Delhi.

New Delhi is the first halt for Rice on her eight-day trip covering India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Japan, Korea and China.