ISLAMABAD, Oct 28: US Secretary of State Colin Powell telephoned Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri in Madrid and discussed the situation in South Asia.

Foreign Minister Kasuri is in Spain these days for holding talks with Spanish leaders including his counterpart Ana Palacio.

He also attended the International Donors’ Conference on Reconstruction of Iraq held last week.

“US Secretary Powell and Foreign Minister Kasuri talked at length about the situation in South Asia and International Donors’ Conference on Iraq,” says a message from Madrid on Tuesday.

The foreign minister reiterated Pakistan’s position that the only option available to India and Pakistan was to initiate a comprehensive dialogue which could address all issues of concern to both countries, including the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir.

He informed him of the confidence building measures (CBMs) already announced by Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali.

The two leaders also discussed proposals which have recently been made by India.—APP