India and Pakistan have launched back-channel diplomacy in preparation for President Pervez Musharraf's [Images] planned visit to New Delhi on April 16.

Satish Lambah will represent the Indian side, sources said on Friday. It is not known who the Pakistani representative is.

The India-Pakistan Peace Process

This signals that Musharraf's 'cricket diplomacy' has a more substantive agenda than merely watching a one day international between his country and India.

The opening of a Track-II channel is also seen as a continuation of the policy to undertake quiet diplomacy, away from the glare of the media, to try and see if an understanding can be reached between India and Pakistan on key issues.

If Musharraf talks, it will be cricket

Lambah is convener of the National Security Advisory Board.

He is a former high commissioner to Pakistan.

Lambah is reported to have been appointed India's special envoy to deal with Pakistan after National Security Adviser J N Dixit's death in January.

Lambah refused to comment when contacted.

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