Obama admin supportive of Indo-Pak peace process: White House official

The Obama administration is "incredibly supportive" of any peace efforts of leaders from India and Pakistan to improve the relationship between the two South Asian neighbours, though it is not directly involved in the process, a top White House official has said.

"We are incredibly supportive of any efforts the Indians and Pakistanis take to engage in dialogue to expand their relations," the official said.

The comments came in response to a question about the recent efforts of India and Pakistan to improve their relationship, especially in the business and economic field.

"We think that both sides have taken constructive steps in that direction," the official, a confidant of US President Barack Obama, told a small group of journalists on condition of anonymity.

In the first 100 days of coming to power, President Obama had expressed his desire to use diplomatic tools to improve relationship between India and Pakistan.

Nearly three years later, Obama administration officials expressed satisfaction over the steps being initiated by Indian and Pakistani leaders.

External Affairs Minister SM Krishna said in Singapore yesterday that he would be travelling to Pakistan this summer.

Last month, Commerce Minister Anand Sharma visited Pakistan.

The two countries have taken specific measures to improve trade and business relationship, which has also improved the political atmosphere between them, US officials feel.