Islamabad: Arriving in Islamabad in the midst of a thaw in Indo-Pak ties, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today (Jan 3, 2004) favoured a continuous and open dialogue on Kashmir and other issues but said the movement forward would take time.

In comments that will undoubtedly go down well with the Pakistani establishment, the Indian leader described President Pervez Musharraf as Pakistan's "biggest leader" and as someone he could talk to. The General should come forward in improving bilateral ties, he said.

It became apparent tonight that Vajpayee, who was warmly received on his arrival for the three-day SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation) Summit opening tomorrow, would "interact" with Musharraf and his Pakistani counterpart Zafarullah Khan Jamali in the "SAARC context".

Vajpayee is bound to run into Jamali at the SAARC meeting and interaction with Musharraf could take place at the banquet the Pakistani President is hosting for the leaders of seven SAARC countries.