US tells India to discuss Mumbai blasts issue directly with Pak

ISLAMABAD: The United States has suggested that India discuss issues relating to Islamabad's involvement in the Mumbai train blasts directly with Pakistan instead of making allegations in public.

"India should communicate with Pakistan by having direct contact instead of talking about the Mumbai train blasts in the public," US Ambassador to Pakistan Ryan C Crocker was quoted as saying in the media on Wednesday.

The United States wanted Indian and Pakistani governments to discuss all the issues between them, including the Kashmir dispute, to normalise their relations, Crocker was quoted as saying by local daily 'Dawn'. "We hope that both the countries would keep all their channels open to rectify their misunderstandings."

Statements making accusations would serve no purpose, the US Ambassador reportedly said.

On the Havana meeting between President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Crocker said the United States appreciated the spirit and sense of understanding reached between both the leaders to resolve differences peacefully.

He did not rule out the possibility of extending nuclear technology to Pakistan for civilian purposes, even though Musharraf, during his recent visit to Washington had said he had broached the issue during his talks with US President George W Bush but the did not get any favourable reply.