NEW DELHI, March 15: President Gen Pervez Musharraf has expressed his inability to make it to the southern Indian port city of Kochi to watch the first India-Pakistan one-day international (ODI) on April 2 as the national security advisers of the two countries emerged as the key negotiators for the tour, official sources said on Tuesday.

Diplomatic sources said India’s National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan and his Pakistani counterpart Tariq Aziz have been discussing all aspects of the proposed visit, including fresh elements that have been added by Islamabad of Gen Musharraf wanting the occasion to be used to explore progress on the peace process.

According to current logistics, Bangalore, venue for the third Test match, does not seem to suit Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh because of his own prior commitments; likewise with Kochi for Gen Musharraf.

A meeting of top cricket officials of both sides is scheduled on Thursday to determine if Delhi, which is refurbishing its stadium for the last one-day fixture, would be ready in time to host the game. Sources said a goahead from that meeting could end the deadlock about the venue.

The message about Gen Musharraf’s inability to watch the match in Kochi came from the Indian prime minister’s office, indicating that the visit was being handled at the highest levels.