General finds time for ‘respected’ Vajpayee

This was a meeting that almost fell casualty to the confusion over Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf’s itinerary ahead of the visit. ...

This was a meeting that almost fell casualty to the confusion over Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf’s itinerary ahead of the visit. But Musharraf did finally make it to former Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee’s residence this morning after signing the joint statement. The meeting, which was scheduled for Sunday, was sidelined after Musharraf’s Ajmer visit got delayed due to a religious function at the dargah. The appointment was not even mentioned in the official advisory and was accommodated later.

Vajpayee welcomed his guest, saying the visit marked the start of a ‘‘fresh chapter’’ in Indo-Pak relations. Musharraf, on the other hand, sought the former PM’s support for the peace process, the beginning of which had been made under Vajpayee with the joint statement of January 6, 2004, on the margins of the Islamabad SAARC summit.

Musharraf, who struck a personal rapport with Vajpayee, despite the failed Agra summit four years ago, said he respected the former PM. ‘‘Indo-Pak cricket ties started during your time and improved, and I respect you a lot,’’ he said, adding that ‘‘I am optimistic that Vajpayee would give full support to every subject that is taken up between the two countries.’’

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Musharraf said it was Vajpayee who started the peace process and has given full support to the ongoing effort. Former External Affairs minister Jaswant Singh and former National Security Advisor Brajesh Mishra were also present. Vajpayee said he raised the issue of Indian fishermen and their boats with the General, to which Musharraf replied, ‘‘What will I do with the boats?’’

Musharraf skips date with Pakistan media

Before Sunday’s dinner hosted by him, Musharraf had assured Pakistani journalists in his entourage that he would brief them at 9.30 pm, when the dinner was expected to end. As the dinner got delayed, he reassured the reporters he would speak to them even if it was 12 midnight. When the dinner was over, the General possibly thought better of talking more about what was clearly a pleasant and promising evening, and went straight back to his hotel without the promised briefing.

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