Clinton, who had a 20-minute telephonic conversation with Vajpayee, touched upon bilateral issues as well as the situation in Kargil, official sources said here.

Vajpayee assured the US President that a warm welcome awaited him in India.

The Prime Minister apprised Clinton of the situation in Kargil and reiterated India's position regarding the need for complete withdrawal of Pakistani Army regulars and for specific steps by Islamabad to reaffirm the sanctity of the Line of Control, including cessation of cross-border terrorism.

Clinton expressed "understanding" of India's position, the sources added. On bilateral issues, the Prime Minister reaffirmed his desire to improve cooperation between India and the United States. President Clinton endorsed the view and expressedthe desire to visit India in the near future, the sources said.

Clinton's telephonic call comes close on the heels of the announcement in Washington last week that US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright will meet External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh in Singapore during the ASEAN meeting to "encourage" resumption of direct Indo-Pakistan talks under the Lahore process.

"We want the Lahore dialogue to resume and get these issues between India and Pakistan resolved. We are prepared to be helpful," an US official had told reporters in Washington.