US Secretary of State Colin Powell on Thursday dismissed Indian remarks likening Pakistan to Iraq, and urged the two neighbours to resolve their differences peacefully.

Indian External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha had said on Wednesday that there was a stronger case for military action against Pakistan than Iraq.

He said Pakistan possessed weapons of mass destruction, a reason cited by Washington to wage war on Iraq, and harboured terror groups.

"I don't think that there is a direct parallel between the two situations [Iraq and Pakistan]," Powell told Pakistan Television.

He said Washington was in "very close touch" with both Pakistan and India.

"We do have a very difficult and a painful situation with respect to actions across the line of control," he said.

"We are looking to help the two parties to resolve this in a peaceful way," he added.

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What do you think about the story? Read what others have to say: Number of User Comments: 50 Sub: Of course Powell is right! Powell is quite correct in saying there is no Pak-Iraq parallel. After all USA does not share a border with Iraq. Nor has Iraq armed ... Posted by Shahryar Sub: india pak kick US A?? i think we both countries should kick US A?? it uses one of us when it wants by siding here n there.. Posted by junaid Sub: no parallel US would see no parallel in Pak-Iraq unless it has something to gain. Until then Pak is an innocent country for the US Posted by Nisha Sharma Sub: double standerds of america Well it is like king never be wrong. Whatever america do is for the sake of peace and if others repeat it it is great ... Posted by Prashant Sub: What do u can expect from US Well Well what do u can expect from Mr Bush and his team. We have to solve our problems peacefully and they can do whatever ... Posted by Pradeep