Delhi divided over Musharraf visit

Delhi is gearing up to receive General Musharraf

By Jill McGivering in Delhi

The summit between the Indian Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, and the Pakistani leader, General Pervez Musharraf, is being hailed by political leaders as a possible landmark in Indo-Pakistan relations.

Indeed, in advance of the summit, there have been a number of confidence-building measures, the latest a decision by India to ease travel restrictions for Pakistani citizens in Kashmir.

And Indian officials announced that General Musharraf would be received as president of Pakistan.

I don't think he deserves such welcome from our side

Young woman on Delhi streets

That seems to mean a red carpet welcome - for a man previously viewed here with suspicion, even hostility.

On the streets of Delhi, people seem divided on whether or not they think he deserves one.

"He doesn't deserve it. I don't think he deserves such welcome from our side. Okay, he's coming, he's a delegate, we welcome him, we talk to him, that's okay," a young woman said.

"But giving him extra importance, I don't think so."

But a middle-aged man disagreed, saying the general should be given a state welcome.

"Let's wait and watch what he has in his mind because, you know, the way that things are, it's not good for anybody," he said.

Historic links

In the past, attitudes here towards General Musharraf have been suspicious, even hostile. Some blame him for the Kargil conflict between India and Pakistan two years ago; others criticise him for overthrowing democracy in Pakistan.

Opinion about the visit is divided

But many in Delhi have personal links with the general, because he was born in the city and spent his early years here.

The Musharraf family home in Delhi - the house from which they fled at the time of partition, when the general was just a young boy of about four years old - is rather a sad place.

The building itself is in ruins, it is totally derelict and uninhabitable, and the courtyard down below is also in rather a sorry state.

It is overgrown with trees and weeds and looks as though it is being used as some sort of dumping ground by the people round about.

Optimism

"I've heard he'll be coming to visit here and if he does, we'll come to the window and wave," said Surinder Kumar, who lives in the house opposite.

I would love to sit and chat with him for a while

Restaurant manager

"If he comes to our country, we should be hospitable and treat him as a friend."

In the restaurant on the corner, the young manager is delighted. Local politicians are cleaning the area and repairing pavements as they get ready for their VIP. He also says the visit could help to build harmony between local Hindus and Muslims.

"I would love him to come here and have food at our place ... I would love to sit and chat with him for a while and I can know his views and all.

General Musharraf: Spent early childhood in Delhi

"I would like to ask him to start, make good relations with our country. ... we have a lot of customers... most of them are Muslims and there are Hindus. But there is still, you know, a bit of tension between all of them.

"So what we expect is once he comes here, all of them, like, you know, should come together and welcome him so that the relationship becomes good, you know ..."

Another customer was also optimistic that although difficult, embracing General Musharraf could bring progress.

"The other day I was thinking about all the war widows and mothers who lost their sons during the war and the fact we're now getting ready to greet the man who was behind the killings," he said.

"But then I thought, if we keep thinking like this, there'll only be more sons and more husbands who get killed" he added.

Many people here hold the same view - hostilities with Pakistan have not been forgotten. But a gesture which might lead to peace is well worth making.