Washington: President Donald Trump will encourage India and Pakistan to hold bilateral dialogue but for that Islamabad will have to crack down on terrorism, according to a senior US administration official.

“I think what you'll hear from the President is very much encouraging a reduction in tensions between India and Pakistan, encouraging the two countries to engage in bilateral dialogue with each other to resolve their differences,” the official said on Friday during a briefing to a question on whether Trump will again offer to mediate on Kashmir.

 The official specifically mentioning “bilateral dialogue” holds significance in the context of Trump's previous attempts to embed himself in the Kashmir dispute, which have roiled India.  

The official added a note of caution, “A core foundation of any successful dialogue between the two is based on continued momentum in Pakistan's efforts to crack down on terrorists and extremists on its territory.”

Trump, who will be making a two-day trip to India next, will be skipping Pakistan during the South Asia journey.

The visit will take place days after the US has announced an agreement with the Taliban to reduce violence in Afghanistan that will pave the way for the US to start to bring its troops back from there, winding down the 19-year war. Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan has wielded influence during the negotiations with the Taliban because Islamabad has sheltered and aided them.

The official said, “We certainly would look to India to support this peace process -- an important country in the region, important to the overall stability of the region. So I think if the issue comes up, that is what would be the request from the president.”