"I would like to see relations between Pakistan and India improve at a faster pace," the state-run China Daily quoted Musharraf as saying in a written interview.

"We are looking forward to holding the SAARC summit in Islamabad next January. We hope for positive results," he said, referring to the South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation, which includes the nuclear-armed rivals.

"We are not expecting an immediate breakthrough or solution. But meaningful dialogue must start," said Musharraf, who will visit Beijing on Monday.

India and Pakistan have fought three wars since independence from Britain in 1947, two of them over the Himalayan region of Kashmir, and nearly went to war again last year over the disputed area.

Ties have warned slightly since Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee called for talks in April. The two countries have unveiled a series of largely symbolic measures, including restaffing diplomatic missions and easing curbs on travel.

But India says dialogue is not possible until the end of "cross-border terrorism," which it accuses Pakistan of backing. Pakistan says it only gives political support to what it calls a legitimate freedom struggle by the mostly Muslim Kashmiri people.

A Pakistan foreign ministry spokesman on Friday called again for a resumption of dialogue with India.