United States Secretary of State Colin Powell on Monday expressed happiness at the proposed resumption of dialogue between India and Pakistan.

Hailing it a 'moment of opportunity' in the standoff between India and Pakistan, he said, "We are pleased at some of the developments that have taken place over the last 10 days or so with positive statements coming from both sides."

Powell's deputy Richard Armitage is due to leave on a trip to India, Pakistan and Afghanistan. "Deputy Secretary Armitage will encourage this process of reaching out and the United States will be ready to assist both sides as they move forward," Powell said.

Powell, who has kept up intense telephone diplomacy on South Asia and made several visits to the region over the last year, said he spoke over the last few days to Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Zafarullah Jamali. He said he also spoke to Indian Foreign Minister Yashwant Sinha.