Wednesday, September 27 2006 10:59 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Washington: The United States has asked Pakistan to work with India to reduce threat from Kashmiri separatist groups, many of whom were responsible for terrorist attacks in India.

"It is a major problem in South Asia in resolving which the United States has a direct and abiding interest," Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Nick Burns told sources yesterday (Sept 26, 2006).

Commenting on Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf's continuing tirade against his Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai, he said the fact is that Afghanistan and Pakistan must work together militarily and diplomatically to fight terrorism.

Asked about his assessment of the Waziristan deal, Burns said they would have to see how it works out. But his advice to Pakistan would be to be resolute in fighting terrorism and use every possible means to go after terrorist cells in that part of Pakistan. As a matter of fact, it needs to work with Afghanistan.

"It also needs to work with India to reduce threat from Kashmiri separatist groups many of whom were responsible for terrorist attacks in India. So this is responsibility that all of us have. It is a major problem in South Asia in resolving which the United States has a direct and abiding interest," Burns added.