After meeting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, visiting US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs William J Burns said, “The issue of Pakistan came up in many conversations in the last two days and we welcome dialogue between India and Pakistan, but the pace, scope and the character of that dialogue is something for the Indian and Pakistani leaders. They have to decide on how and when to approach that dialogue.”

The statement by Burns, who also met NSA M K Narayanan and Leader of Opposition L K Advani, is a reflection of Washington reconciling its desire for resumption of India-Pakistan talks with India’s views. New Delhi has always maintained that talks cannot resume unless an environment, free of terror and violence, is created.

In response to a question on Kashmir, Burns said, “It remains our view that the resolution of the Kashmir issue has to take into account wishes of Kashmiri people.”

Burns said he handed over a letter from President Obama to PM Manmohan Singh, and though he refused to divulge its content, he added that the “new US administration is committed to broaden and deepen ties with India more than we have today and determined to take it to next phase”.

Describing his talks with the Indian leaders in the past two days as “very constructive”, Burns confirmed about the visit of US Secretary Hillary Clinton to visit India in second half of July. “India and the US can expand cooperation in defence and intelligence sharing,” he said. The Obama administration is firmly committed to India-US civil nuclear deal, Burns added.

On whether Pakistan is doing enough, he said, “Pakistan has special responsibility to bring the 26/11 perpetrators to justice. The US continues to press Pakistan to firmly and urgently act against terrorist elements including Taliban.”