Islamabad: Pakistan Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali has said India's refusal to talk to Pakistan was an "election stunt" and expressed confidence that the Indian leadership would fulfil its promise to resume dialogue with Islamabad.

"I am aware that general elections are due in India and the Indian leadership is making the dialogue as an election stunt," he told reporters before leaving on a 10-day tour of US early on September 28.

Stating that problems can be solved between India and Pakistan only through dialogue, he said he was confident that India would resume dialogue to the promise made to him by Vajpayee over the telephone in May this year in this regard.

Jamali left for Washington as Musharraf returned in the early hours after completing his tour to New York and Canada.

About the purpose of his visit to US, which was the first since he took over office last year, Jamali said he would hold talks with Bush on further strengthening of bilateral relations and other important issues.

Describing his visit to Washington as most important, Jamali said, "the US and Pakistan have a very good and close friendship especially after 9/11. Both countries are cooperating each other in fight against terrorism."

He said a variety of issues would come up for discussion between him and Bush. "Some of the issues were discussed by the President Pervez Musharraf during his talks with President Bush. My talks with the American President will be in the follow up of those negotiations," he added.

PTI