ISLAMABAD, Jan 17: Indian External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha on Saturday telephoned Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri to discuss recent confidence building measures taken by both the countries.

According to a foreign office statement, the two ministers during their telephonic conversation reaffirmed the need to begin the composite dialogue process to address all issues, including that of Kashmir, in accordance with the decision taken by President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Vajpayee at their meeting on Jan 5. Mr Sinha congratulated Pakistan over the success of the 12th Saarc summit.

He also thanked the government of Pakistan for the hospitality and courtesies extended to the Indian delegation during the moot.

The two foreign ministers reiterated that the composite dialogue process would start in February this year.

They agreed that modalities for the process would be worked out through diplomatic channels.-APP