Indian politicians to boycott reception

The situation in Kashmir will be high on the agenda

Members of India's ruling coalition have decided to boycott a reception in honour of Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf when he visits India.

It was decided that no-one from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will attend the high tea.

NDA convenor George Fernandes

The convenor of the National Democratic Alliance, Georges Fernandes, told journalists that no-one would go to a tea reception at the Pakistani High Commission in Delhi on Saturday.

The government is angry over an invitation extended by General Musharraf to members of the main alliance of Kashmiri separatists, the All-Party Hurriyat Conference.

The row comes just days before General Musharraf is due to arrive for talks with Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, expected to focus on the disputed territory of Kashmir.

Criticisms

Mr Fernandes said that it had been noted that Pakistan had extended an invitation only to the Hurriyat "and not to any MP or other representative of the Kashmir Government".

General Musharraf: Invitation caused controversy

"It seems Pakistan wants to show that the Hurriyat is the sole representative of the people of Kashmir," he added.

The invitation has even caused dissension within the ranks of the separatists, with some declining to go on the grounds that they have been excluded from the summit talks.

The Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front said it would boycott the event.

"To invite the Hurriyat for a cup of tea amounts to humiliation," said JKLF leader Javed Mir.

The summit itself has been criticised by a conference of militant groups in Pakistani-controlled Kashmir.

It described the talks as an attempt to sow divisions amongst separatists and between the people of Pakistan and Kashmir.

'Unrepresentative'

The All-Party Hurriyat Conference had earlier written to both the Indian and Pakistani leaders asking to be given a role in the summit discussions.

Hurriyat leaders want to get involved

However, the Indian Government argues that they do not represent the people of Kashmir and so have no place in negotiations.

But that was rejected by Abdul Ghani Bhat, who described opposition to their attendance at the reception as a minor issue.

"When the stakes are so high, it is not right that small ordinary issues get in the way," he said.