US President George W Bush is to make his first visit to India – the worlds biggest democracy – this week, after he has talks in Pakistan, urging both to agree a resolution in Kashmir, BBC Online reports Monday.
Speaking on Pakistani television, the president said he had seen progress between the two nations and thought they could end the dispute.
It is likely Bush will urge Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf to step up efforts to capture al-Qaeda leaders. In India he is expected to finalise a deal on nuclear cooperation.
– In this vital region, the stakes are high and the opportunities are unprecedented, Bush said ahead of the South Asia trip.
At the weekend India said it had moved forward in talks with the US in Delhi, aimed at smoothing key differences over a proposed landmark nuclear deal.
The US has offered to share peaceful nuclear technology if India agrees to separate its civilian and military nuclear programmes. The deal would allow India access to US civilian nuclear technology, BBC adds.