ISLAMABAD, Pakistan?With the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan just over the horizon, Secretary of State Colin Powell is meeting with Pakistani officials on reopening military ties and to encourage a reduction in tensions with India over Kashmir.

Powell, who undertook his trip under unusually tight security, will meet with President Pervez Musharraf on Tuesday and then travel to India for talks on Wednesday with Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Enhanced bilateral military ties and the Kashmir issue will be discussed there as well.

Back in Washington, President Bush urged India and Pakistan to try to avoid military conflict over Kashmir, because fighting there ?could create issues? for the U.S. campaign in Afghanistan.

?It is very important that India and Pakistan stand down during activities in Afghanistan or, for that matter, forever,? Bush said after meeting with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. He declined to comment on some reports that India had shelled Pakistani posts near the cease-fire line, saying he lacked details.