For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
June 6, 2002

President Bush Discusses India-Pakistan with President Putin
Statement by the Press Secretary

President Bush spoke with Russian President Putin today in a phone call that lasted twenty minutes. The two leaders discussed a variety of issues, including the India-Pakistan situation and non-proliferation cooperation. President Bush and President Putin agreed to continue mutual efforts to de-escalate tensions between India and Pakistan, and President Bush praised President Putin's efforts to defuse tensions in separate meetings in Almaty, Kazakhstan with President Musharraf and Prime Minister Vajpayee. President Bush and President Putin discussed the Commerce Department's decision to grant Russia market economy status, and both said they looked forward to meeting in Kananasakis, Canada during the G-8 summit later in June.

###