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WASHINGTON (US): US Secretary of State Colin Powell is scheduled to leave here Sunday on an important three nation -Pakistan, India and Afghanistan - visit, to have meetings with leaders of the South Asian countries.

Mr. Powell's trip comes as Pakistan-India are playing cricket matches - and a keen enthusiasm is being displayed by the cricket fans and keen interest being shown by the two nations.

Voyage to Pakistan

While in Pakistan, he is scheduled to hold talks with the Government highups, and senior officials on a wide range of subjects including Pak-U.S. relations, peace and stability in South Asia, ongoing war on terror and non-proliferation.

Pakistan is a close U.S. ally in the war against terror, and it has also taken effective measures to root out extremism and terrorism.

Perspective

Pakistan-India relations, which have seen a remarkable improvement, in the wake of President Musharraf and Prime Minister Vajpayee's meeting on the sidelines of SAARC summit in Islamabad, taking of confidence building measures and holding of official talks in February and the support for resumption of talks and peaceful resolution of matters, are expected to come up under discussion.

Delhi First Destination

Secretary Powell will start his trip with New Delhi, where he is scheduled to discuss recent agreements to expand U.S. and Indian cooperation on nuclear and space technology and the revived peace process between India and Pakistan.

Relations between Pakistan and India have registered a remarkable improvement since Mr. Powell's last visit to the region. In July of 2002 Secretary Powell visited New Delhi and Islamabad amid high tensions as the countries had amassed troops along their borders. Powell's visit to the region was aimed at defusing that volatile situation.

Backdrop

Nearly two years later, the countries have restored full diplomatic relations, resumed transportation links and begun comprehensive peace talks aimed at resolving issues including dispute over Kashmir.

Besides speaking with Indian leaders about the ongoing talks with Pakistan, the Secretary plans to discuss a recent technology sharing agreement reached with Indian leaders in January. The agreement calls for U.S. cooperation on nuclear and space technology in return for stronger Indian efforts to enact strict export controls on sophisticated technology.