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Rediff.com  » News » More CBMs possible during Musharraf's visit

More CBMs possible during Musharraf's visit

Last updated on: April 14, 2005 13:37 IST
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An agreement on some more confidence building measures and a joint statement are expected after discussions between Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf, who makes a three-day visit to India beginning Saturday.

Heading a 45-member delegation, Musharraf will fly straight to Ajmer on April 16 for offering prayers at the Ajmer Sharif dargah before he begins his official part of the visit.

Also see: Hurriyat to meet Musharraf in New Delhi

Musharraf, who had to skip the visit to Dargah after the Agra Summit in 2001, will be accompanied by his wife Sehba and will land in Jaipur on April 16 morning. He will take chopper to Ajmer.

The Pakistan president will reach Delhi late in the afternoon for talks with Dr Singh, who is also hosting a dinner the visiting dignitary on Saturday night.

Sources indicated that the CBMs that may be agreed upon relate to more bus services between the two countries, including one from Kasur in Pakistan to Indian Punjab and between Jammu and Sialkot.

Also see: Visit is about Kashmir, not cricket -- Musharraf

The inclusion of Defence Secretary Lt Gen (Retd) Tariq Wasim Ghazi in the Pakistani delegation has fuelled speculation that the discussions could cover the Siachen issue on which a limited agreement was reached at the official-level

talks last year.

On Sunday, Musharraf will witness the last match in the ongoing ODI cricket series between India and Pakistan.

Officials do not rule out discussions  between Musharraf and Dr Singh being carried over to Sunday.

Foreign Minister Kurshid Mehmood Kasuri, Commerce Minister Humayun Akhtar Khan, Information Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed, Minister of  State for Youth Affairs Md. Ali Durrani and Minister of State for Religious Affairs Amir Liyaqat will be part of the delegation.

Complete coverage: The Road to peace

National Security Adviser Tariq Aziz, who has already held discussions with Indian government's representative S K
Lambah, is also part of the delegation.

Officials accompanying the Pakistani president will include Foreign Secretary Riaz Mohammed Khan, Defence Secretary Lt Gen (retd) Tariq Wasim Gazi and Commerce Secretary Tasnim Noorani.

A 35-strong media contingent is also on the President's entourage.                               

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