Friday, September 15 2006 15:02 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Washington: Ahead of the meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf, the United States today expressed hope that the two countries can find a 'basis' to resume talks.

Talking of the movement in Indo-Pak relations, US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Richard Boucher praised the statesmanship shown by the leaders of the two countries and referred to the current setback by way of the Mumbai blasts.

"We hope they can find a basis to resume talks," the senior administration official told students at the the School of Advanced International Studies of the John Hopkins University.

He stressed that the U.S.role is not a direct one, but of providing constant encouragement to the two sides.

Singh and Musharraf are slated to meet tomorrow on the sidelines of the NAM Summit in Havana.

Asked about the possibility of a joint statement at the end of their talks, the Prime Minister said, "This is too early to say. As I said it is a meeting on the sidelines of the NAM conference. We will see how discussions proceed."

Is a joint statement ruled out, he was asked specifically. "Nothing is ruled out, nothing is ruled in either," Singh shot back.

To a question about fears of nuclear facilities in Pakistan getting into the hands of extremist elements, he said both the countries were conscious of their obligations with regard to safeguarding nuclear plants and there was obligation to work together.

"All issues relating to the control of terrorism will figure in our discussions. I am meeting him on the sidelines of the NAM conferene. So, I will have limited time and President Musharraf also will have limited time," he said.

"So, I don't promise that I am going to discuss each and every problem around. But, we are conscious of our responsibilities on safeguarding our sensitive installations and I believe there are also arrangements (under which) India and Pakistan exchange data about their nuclear installations. Therefore, we both recognise that this is a sensitive matter and there is an obligation to work together," he said.

Singh and Musharraf have met thrice in the last two years-- twice in New York and once in New Delhi.