New Delhi, January 18
US Secretary of State Colin Powell today wound up his whistle-stop tour of the Indian subcontinent amid indications that the Musharraf regime in Pakistan was likely to deliver on New Delhi’s concerns regarding cross-bordering terrorism.

Meanwhile, India today provided further evidence to Pakistan and the USA about the involvement of 20 terrorists and criminals whose extradition was sought by New Delhi from Pakistan on December 31.

General Powell, who in the second leg of his 21-hour visit today met Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, his Principal Secretary and National Security Adviser Brajesh Mishra and Leader of Opposition Sonia Gandhi, said the situation between India and Pakistan had changed during the past few days. He exuded confidence that more positive developments would follow.

General Powell said India had sent to Pakistan more information about the 20 terrorists whose extradition was sought by New Delhi. “I think we are on a path that will lead to restoration of dialogue and confidence-building activities, but it will take further action ( on Pakistan’s part) before we take that path”, he said.

Winding up his India visit, General Powell said at a press conference he addressed jointly with External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh that there was need for Pakistan to take “further action” on the list of 20 terrorists and criminals wanted by India before the two countries could resume dialogue.

General Powell indicated that when he talked of “some action”, he believed that this would pave the ground for resumption of dialogue between the two countries.

Mr Vajpayee told General Powell “the most important aspect now, today, or even later, is the earliest restoration of mutual confidence between the two countries.”

Mr Jaswant Singh said he was confident that President Musharraf would take appropriate action against the terrorists after examining fresh evidence.

General Powell said Washington did not see any role for itself in resolving Indo-Pak differences. “It is India and Pakistan who themselves have to resolve their problems and not the USA.” He endorsed India’s position that General Musharraf must translate his anti-terrorism agenda into action and expressed confidence that the two countries would pursue the diplomatic track to defuse the tense situation along the borders.