SHANNON, Ireland?Secretary of State Colin Powell said Tuesday he hopes his talks this week in Pakistan and India can build on a recent easing of tensions and lead to a “complete halt” to the nations’ monthlong confrontation.

Speaking to reporters before a refueling stop in Ireland, Powell said a conciliatory speech by Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf showed that “the rush toward conflict has slowed quite a bit.”

In efforts to avoid a war, Powell said, “There has been an excessive focus on achieving a pullback of the large number of troops that the two sides have arrayed against each other in recent weeks.

“It’s more important to make sure that the political and diplomatic situation stabilizes,” he said. “If that is stabilized then the armies can move back in due course.”

Powell will arrive in Pakistan on Wednesday and visit India on Thursday.