ISLAMABAD, April 28: Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Jamali in an unexpected move telephoned Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee at about 8pm on Monday.

The conversation between the two prime ministers, described by the Pakistan government as “most cordial and useful”, lasted 15 minutes.

This was the first contact between the top leadership of the two countries after the 18-month old stalemate.

Mr Jamali welcomed his counterpart’s offer of a dialogue, and invited Mr Vajpayee to visit Islamabad.

He expressed the hope that a dialogue would touch on all outstanding issues between the two countries including the Kashmir issue.

Both leaders agreed that the best way to resolve issues was through negotiations and emphasized the need for the resumption of dialogue.

Mr Jamali informed Mr Vajpayee of Pakistan’s willingness to hold talks with India at any level, and that he would like to visit India in the interest of peace and stability in South Asia.

“The two prime ministers also exchanged views on exploring ways to initiate relations in economic, cultural and sports fields,” said a statement issued by the Pakistan Press Information Department late on Monday night.

Sources close to the prime minister said that during the conversation Mr Vajpayee also voiced Indian concerns on the alleged infiltrations across the LoC.

The conversation ended on a positive note with both leaders agreeing to keep in touch.

Foreign Secretary Riaz Khokhar was with the Prime minister when he made the call, Dawn has learnt.