US Secretary of State Mr Colin Powell urged India and Pakistan today to work to avoid conflict as he arrived in Islamabad on the first leg of a South Asia peace shuttle.
With the nuclear rivals' armies facing off across their border and the Indian navy chief saying he was ready for war, Mr Powell said he saw reason for hope after a weekend speech by Pakistan President Mr Pervez Musharraf.
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Mr Colin Powell
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"We really cannot have a war in South Asia and we have to find a way to work through this crisis," Mr Powell said in an interview with Pakistani state television after talks with his Pakistani counterpart, Mr Abdul Sattar.
But as Mr Powell arrived, India's navy chief, Admiral Madhavendra Singh, told a news conference his force was ready to fight.
However Mr Powell still saw reason for hope, "I am somewhat encouraged. I think that President Musharraf gave a very historic speech this past weekend... I think the Indian response was quite measured and I think they are reflecting on the speech."
He said it was important India and Pakistan start talks on divided Kashmir and the wishes of the Kashmiri people should be taken into account.
Mr Musharraf, keen to defuse the crisis and draw India into peace talks, launched the crackdown on militants late last month. Pakistani state media said 1,957 people had been detained and 650 offices of militant groups had been shut and sealed.
India has welcomed Mr Musharraf's moves but demand that words were matched with lasting action.
Indian Home Minister Lal Krishna Advani said India would judge the sincerity of Pakistan's pledge to curb Islamic militants based on whether it stopped them crossing the border and handed over 20 criminals and terrorists wanted in India.
Though the two sides have been trading almost daily fire across the border in recent weeks, officers from both armies said the situation was quiet on the border today.