The prime ministers of India and Pakistan say they expect the next round of formal talks between the countries to continue bringing the two sides closer together.

Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said Thursday that future talks will be more productive and create a new chapter in the history of India and Pakistan.

His comments came after he met for about an hour with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the sidelines of a regional summit in Maldives. The two leaders discussed a range of issues, including the divided region of Kashmir, which is claimed in full by both countries.

No date has been set for the next round of talks.

Before the meeting Thursday, the prime ministers appeared together before cameras smiling and shaking hands. They last met in March to watch India and Pakistan play a cricket match.

The talks come a day after the foreign ministers of India and Pakistan said relations between the neighboring countries have improved, but there is still work to be done.

India and Pakistan are taking part in a two-day regional summit, which also includes Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan and Maldives.

Peace talks between India and Pakistan resumed in February, more than two years after 166 people died in an attack by Pakistani militants in India's financial capital, Mumbai. Both sides have pledged to work together to combat terrorism and improve trade.