Maintaining that the United States will work with India and Pakistan to win the war on terror, a US Congressional delegation Wednesday said it will take up the matter of terrorism that may be emanating from Pakistan with its President Pervez Musharraf.
"We are all against terror. We are going to broach the issue with President Musharraf in the next 2-3 days. We will be talking about terrorism that may be emanting from Pakistan or that general area," Congressman Dan Burton, who is leading the delegation, told reporters in New Delhi.
He said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's statement to make efforts to erase the visible borders was a giant step, but refused to elaborate on this, saying it was "inappropriate" for him to comment on this.
"Dr Singh and Musharraf have indicated that this was one of the areas they are going to discuss and find a solution.. It is inappropriate for me or members of the delegation to discuss on this," he added.
He said the United States will work with India and Pakistan in the fight against terrorism as it was a global concern, which the whole world has to address.
Seeking to shed his India-baiter image, Burton said it is encouraging to see that both the countries have at last decided to talk and resolve the issue of Kashmir though it is still in its infancy.
Asked about criticism that Washington's fight against terror was not "even-handed", he said the war on terror was universal, whether it is in Jordan, Delhi, England or Spain.
"And especially democracies like India and the United States need to join forces to address the scourge," he added.
Burton, considered a long-time India-baiter, said Pakistan needs to do more to address concerns about terrorism.
"President Musharraf knows of our concerns, he has worked with us in the war against terror and there is a lot more to be done, there's no doubt about that," he said.
"Whether there is an attack in Delhi or in United States, we have one mind that terrorists should be defeated and stopped," he said.
Burton, who has been raising alleged human rights violations in Kashmir, said he no longer feels that plebiscite is the solution for resolving the Kashmir issue.
"Now this is a different era. Now we have two leaders -- Dr Singh and Musharraf -- talking about finding lasting solutions to the problems and it is not proper for me or any other person to air their sentiments or opinions," he added.
"President Musharraf and Dr Singh are talking. They are men of goodwill and we are hopeful that they will be able to work out some solution to the thorny Kashmir issue," he said.
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee said a large number of people in Pakistan were against terrorist acts as they cannot survive in an atmosphere of terror and hoped that things will change.
She said US values its partnership with India more than its ties with China as Indo-US relation is based on values and friendship.
Lee also supported reforms to the United Nations and hoped India and the US will work together to bring about changes in the world body.
More from rediff