The Hindu : Advani, Musharraf will cross each other's path

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jun 12, 2003

International

International

Advani, Musharraf will cross each other's path

By Hasan Suroor

LONDON JUNE 11. The Deputy Prime Minister, L. K. Advani, and the Pakistan President, Pervez Musharraf, will cross each other's path in London next week when they arrive here almost around the same time — Mr. Advani on his way back home from Washington and Gen. Musharraf on his way to Washington.

But both sides would make sure that they do not "bump'' into each other.

The Pakistani leader is expected to arrive here on June 17, just hours before Mr. Advani would be packing up to leave for New Delhi after meeting the Prime Minister, Tony Blair, and other British leaders, including the Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, the Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, and the Home Secretary, David Blunkett.

Apart from discussing bilateral issues, Mr, Advani is expected to voice India's continuing concern over cross-border terrorism, and to urge Mr. Blair to lean more heavily on Islamabad to get it to stop its support to terror groups operating in Jammu and Kashmir.

Indian observers said they would be watching with interest how forcefully this is conveyed to Gen. Musharraf when he meets Mr. Blair on June 18. While Britain shares Indian concerns on the issue, there is also a strong view here that Pakistan has taken a series of measures in recent months to curb terror and that it is sincere about honouring its assurances.

The Pakistan High Commission here was tightlipped about Gen. Musharraf's visit, but Islamabad-watchers said it was not likely to get the same billing as the one he made at the height of the war against the Taliban when both London and Washington desperately needed Pakistan's support.

Meanwhile, several groups have threatened to picket the venue of Mr. Advani's meeting with the Indian community in central London on June 15, shortly after his arrival. They said they would be protesting against his role in the demolition of the Babri Masjid, and the BJP's alleged involvement in the Gujarat violence.

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