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ISLAMABAD, Friday (AFP) President Pervez Musharraf Thursday hailed as encouraging Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee's weekend offer of dialogue with Pakistan, saying it reflected a welcome change in the Indian attitude.

"Yes, I see some change in the (Indian) attitude which is welcome and encouraging," the president told editors of national dailies at his official residence.

"Pakistan has always stood for dialogue on all issues with India," he said, adding that Prime Minister Zafarullah Jamali had already "responded promptly and rightly" to the Indian offer.

Vajpayee, who has repeatedly spurned Pakistan's offers to seek a negotiated settlement of bilateral disputes - including the core issue of Kashmir - during his weekend visit to the Indian zone of Kashmir offered to meet Pakistan at the negotiating table.

Musharraf said Pakistan was "prepared to engage in a comprehensive dialogue with India on Kashmir and all other outstanding issues."

"Kashmir has been at the heart of Pakistan-India differences since independence," he added.

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