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Indian envoy meets Musharraf: PTI

Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan Vijay Nambiar Monday held a significant meeting with military ruler General Pervez Musharraf amidst stepped up activities on the Kashmir front and is understood to have made it clear that resumption of talks between the two countries was not possible without an end to cross-border terrorism.

The meeting, described as a courtesy call, was the first since Nambiar took up his assignment last August.

Sources said that two had a "free and frank" exchange of views on the "stated positions" of the two countries on various issues, including resumption of bilateral talks.

The sources said a comprehensive dialogue between the two sides was not possible when militants went about creating a carnage in and outside Kashmir.

The high commissioner, in his presentation, also made specific references to the recent attack on the Red Fort and Lashkar-e-Tayiba's threat to attack Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Musharraf expressed regret over the reported threats by the LeT to attack the offices of the prime minister. However, he chose to remain silent when Nambiar conveyed that India would like Pakistan to rein in the militant outfits, the sources said.

The Pakistan ruler, who gave a patient hearing to Nambiar's presentation, however, reiterated Pakistan's stand that talks should begin between both countries before restoration of normalcy.

The general also referred to a "substantial" drop in the level of tension in recent weeks following steps by Pakistan, they said.

The sources said neither the Indian high commissioner nor Musharraf referred to speculation in the press about his plans to visit New Delhi. Neither side made any mention of the proposed mission of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference to Islamabad.

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