Musharraf arrives for historic summit

Musharraf and his wife: All smiles at Delhi airport

President Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan has been welcomed in the Indian capital, Delhi, at the start of his summit with the Indian Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee.

It is the first summit between the two countries in more than two years and is expected to include the Kashmir dispute which has twice led the two countries into war.

Hours before President Musharraf's arrival Indian and Pakistani troops exchanged fire across the line of control, which separates them in Kashmir.

Never has the requirement of [Gandhi's] ideals been more severely felt than today, especially in the context of India-Pakistan relations

Pervez Musharraf

It was the first reported exchange of fire between the two armies this year.

In a statement issued to coincide with his arrival in India, President Musharraf said he had come to the summit with an open mind and was looking forward to having meaningful talks on the dispute over Kashmir.

He said he wanted to establish peaceful, tension-free and co-operative relations between the two countries.

Red-carpet welcome

Dressed in a traditional white coat, the president was formally welcomed at the Indian presidential palace by President K R Narayanan and Prime Minister Vajpayee.

He received a 21-gun salute and inspected a military guard of honour as Indian soldiers saluted a general who had fought two wars against them.

From there he drove to the Gandhi memorial on the banks of the Yamuna river where he laid a wreath at the black granite memorial to the Indian independence leader.

"Never has the requirement of [Gandhi's] ideals been more severely felt than today, especially in the context of India-Pakistan relations," he wrote in the visitor's book.

Earlier, a light drizzle greeted General Musharraf as he stepped off a civilian aircraft and onto Indian soil.

Pakistan's envoy in India said his country's attitude was positive.

Vajpayee views the status of Kashmir as non-negotiable

"Really we want to take this thing forward and I am sure that is the attitude of the Indian prime minister," Pakistan High Commissioner Ashraf Jehangir Qazi said at the airport.

"The Taj Mahal will be an inspiring symbol in the background."

Both President Musharraf and Prime Minister Vajpayee have been trying to dictate the terms of their discussion.

The Indian leader wants other bilateral issues like trade and cultural links to feature, while Mr Musharraf has made it clear he wants progress on Kashmir first.

Confidence building

Mr Vajpayee views the territorial status of Kashmir as non-negotiable.

India's strategy in the days running up to the summit has been to proffer a number of so-called confidence-building measures.

There have been a variety of initiatives:

• A promise to release 400 Pakistani prisoners in Indian jails
• A relaxation on the issuing of visas
• The offer of scholarships to students from Pakistan
• Reduced tariffs on selected imports

They have been met with a lukewarm response from Pakistan.

Boycott

It is also why the Indian Government has refused to entertain any role in the talks for the All-Party Hurriyet Conference, a loose alliance of Kashmiri separatist parties, despite an invitation from General Musharraf to meet their leaders during his visit to India.

Musharraf has agreed to meet Kashmir separatists

That encounter will take place at a tea party at the Pakistan High Commission.

India's ruling National Democratic Alliance has chosen to boycott the reception because Hurriyet has been invited, and there is anger in Indian Government circles about Mr Musharraf's request to talk to them.

But our correspondent says this is a marginal issue which Mr Vajpayee will not allow to deflect him from what many see as a very real opportunity to improve relations with Pakistan.

Delhi will judge success at the summit by whether progress can be made on some peripheral issues, coupled with a commitment to further talks about Kashmir.