Washington, Feb 5 (IANS) The United States has welcomed India's offer to Pakistan to resume official level talks, saying a dialogue among India, Pakistan and Afghanistan was a key component of achieving a stable region.

'We are supportive of dialogue among India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan as a key component of moving ahead and achieving a stable region,' State Department spokesman Philip J. Crowley told reporters Thursday commenting on the report.

' I'm not familiar with that particular report... but we certainly have been encouraging steps that both Pakistan and India could take to address mutual concerns and to take appropriate steps so that tensions can be reduced, cooperation can be increased, and as a result, you have a more stable region that is focused on threats, both interests that they share and threats that they share.'

India Thursday sent a formal proposal to Pakistan for talks between their foreign secretaries and pledged to pursue the discussions with 'an open and positive mind'.