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Bush hopes US can facilitate Indo-Pak dialogue

In an attempt at pleasing its ally in the current campaign against terrorism, President George Bush on Wednesday offered to facilitate a serious and meaningful dialogue between India and Pakistan to resolve the Kashmir issue.

Emerging with Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf after their first-ever meeting at the White House, Bush told reporters, "The US will encourage the two countries to start a meaningful and serious dialogue to resolve the Kashmir issue. We will continue to press for it."

"I hope we can facilitate serious and meaningful dialogue between India and Pakistan" which he said was the best way to resolve all issues, including Kashmir.

In his opening statement, Musharraf asked New Delhi to pull back its troops to peace-time positions and come to the negotiating table for resolving all issues, including Kashmir.

Musharraf said he had informed Bush of a 'massive and aggressive' build-up of Indian troops on the border and wanted their withdrawal to peacetime locations and reopening of the dialogue with India on all outstanding issues, including Kashmir.

PTI

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