Pakistan's prime minister says Pakistan and India should work together to combat terrorism in the region.

Yousaf Raza Gilana (file)

In a telephone call to Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Thursday, Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said the present state of unrest in the region demands more cooperation in fighting extremism.  He said both countries are victims of the problem.

Mr. Gilani phoned his Indian counterpart to congratulate him on winning a vote of confidence in India's parliament.

The Pakistani prime minister's comments come after both Indian and Afghan officials accused Pakistan's intelligence agency of being involved in a suicide attack on the Indian embassy in Afghanistan earlier this month.

Mr. Gilani told the Indian prime minister that a stable Afghanistan is in the safe interest of all countries in the region, and that all possible efforts must be made to ensure peace and stability there.

Predominantly Hindu India and Muslim Pakistan have fought three wars since their creation in 1947.  Their relations have improved since peace talks began in 2004, but attacks on Indian interests have slowed the process.

Some information for this report was provided by Reuters.