The US on Wednesday encouraged India and Pakistan to maintain the positive momentum in their ties.

"We very much welcome the outcome of the first round of talks, as part of a comprehensive dialogue between India and Pakistan," state department spokesperson Richard Boucher said in Washington, DC.

"We're pleased that the parties came out with a roadmap for future discussions and we are pleased that they're committed to increasing their engagement," he added.

Boucher said Secretary of State Colin Powell had been in close touch with Indian and Pakistani leaders throughout the period that they had been "looking at the possibility of dialogue, and then entering into it.

"So we're very pleased to see that the leaders themselves in India and Pakistan not only have announced and explored this possibility, but are now moving it forward in such a constructive manner."

Asked about reports that Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf had sought clerics' help against extremists, Boucher said, "I think I'd leave that to him, as far as how he handles the situation inside Pakistan. I would leave that to him.

"We have been strong supporters of Pakistan. We've helped this overall effort to modernise the education system. We've helped the effort to bring more moderate tone to the nation. But in terms of how it's handled internally, that's up to President Musharraf."