Islamabad  - A senior US diplomat arrived in the capital city Islamabad on Monday in an effort to ease tensions between Pakistan and India in the wake of the Mumbai terrorist attacks, an official said.

US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Richard Boucher's visit came as India handed over documentary material to Islamabad allegedly linking the perpetrators to militant elements inside Pakistan.

New Delhi blamed the Pakistan-based outlawed Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist organization for the siege of India's financial capital, where a group of 10 gunmen killed at least
170 people between November 26 and 29.

Boucher was to hold talks with top Pakistani leaders, including President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, the official in Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said.

The discussions are expected to revolve around the strained relations between India and Pakistan, according to the official. However, the situation in Pakistan's lawless tribal region and counter-terrorism initiatives along the Afghan border will also be taken up in the meetings.

Boucher is also expected to visit India, according to media reports.

Islamabad repeatedly acknowledged that international powers had played a positive role in dampening the tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours following the Mumbai attacks.

Pakistan denies involvement of its nationals in the gun and grenade attacks, stressing that India must provide concrete proof supporting the accusations. It has also declined the Indian demands for the extradition of suspects in its custody.

On Monday, the Pakistan Foreign Ministry confirmed that it had received "some information material regarding terrorist attacks in Mumbai," which was being examined. (dpa)