March, 17 2005	Thursday	06 Safar 1426

Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window)

NEW DELHI, March 16: President Pervez Musharraf will watch the last one-day match between India and Pakistan in New Delhi on April 17, the Indian prime minister’s office announced on Wednesday, ending days of speculation on the widely awaited visit. Among those who evinced interest in the visit was US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, who was briefed by Indian Foreign Minister Kunwar Natwar Singh on the entire gamut of the composite dialogue. It was in this context that the cricket fixture and alleged cross-border terrorism also came up for discussion. While it is not known whether Gen Musharraf would spend the night of 16th or 17th April in Delhi, members of his family flew into the Indian capital amid tight security. The president’s mother Begum Musharrafuddin, brother Javed and son Bilal are expected to watch part of the ongoing Test match in Kolkota. They are expected to visit Agra and Aligarh, where Gen Musharraf’s mother had done her graduation.

“I apprised the secretary of state of recent developments in our composite dialogue with Pakistan which is progressing satisfactorily,” Mr Singh told a joint news conference with Ms Rice.

Then in a lighter vein he added: “We look forward to welcoming General Musharraf here soon and if I may be allowed to say something, I will also respectfully request him that he ensures that the Pakistan cricket team does not beat our cricket team.”

Mr Singh said: “There should be no doubt about our commitment to achieve peace with Pakistan but it is critical that Pakistan fully implements its solemn commitment to cease cross-border terrorism against India.”

The India government maintains that Gen Musharraf’s visit was not for a summit but to watch a match. Since Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is hosting him, there will be a meeting between the two leaders though there is no structured agenda for the talks, officials said.—J.N.