President Bush has called the leaders of India and Pakistan amid rising tensions between the two countries. He placed the calls from his Texas ranch.
President Bush appealed to both sides for calm. He urged Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf to take additional, strong, decisive measures to eliminate extremists that seek to harm India.
White House spokesman Scott McClelland told reporters, Mr. Bush told Atal Behari Vajpayee, the prime minister of India, that the United States is determined to cooperate with India in the fight against terrorism.
Mr. McClelland said President Bush also contacted British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who has an upcoming visit to the region.