Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=07/13/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE= INDIA / PAK SUMMIT (L ONLY)

NUMBER=2-278193

BYLINE=ANJANA PASRICHA

DATELINE=NEW DELHI

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

/// EDS: SUMMIT MEETING WILL BE HELD SUNDAY 7/15 ///

INTRO: Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf arrives in New Delhi Saturday for a summit meeting with Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee. Anjana Pasricha in New Delhi reports India says it is approaching the peace talks with optimism even though there has been tough talk on the dispute over Kashmir from both nations in recent days.

TEXT: The summit meeting on Sunday between Mr. Musharraf and Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee will be the first official talks in two years between the two South Asian countries.

On the eve of General Musharraf's arrival, Mr. Vajpayee told an Indian news agency that New Delhi will stress the need for both countries to "uphold the sanctity" of the ceasefire line that divides the disputed region of Kashmir between India and Pakistan.

Mr. Vajpayee said India also will discuss a range of issues with Pakistan such as terrorism, nuclear security, and confidence building measures.

But in an interview (with Press Trust of India), General Musharraf stressed that he wants to focus the discussions on the Kashmir dispute. He said past meetings between the two countries had failed because India had always sidelined the issue of Kashmir which is claimed by both countries.

Indian foreign ministry spokeswoman Nirupama Rao says New Delhi feels both nations stand on the threshold of a new opportunity, and must not narrow the upcoming dialogue to a single issue.

/// RAO ACTUALITY ///

This is not the time for rhetoric. This is the time for approaching our discussions, our meeting, looking at the entire structure of bilateral relations taking a very wholistic approach, and basically looking toward the future. We have always said you have to avoid narrow, cliche ridden approaches. Look at the core concerns of the people -- devise a future architecture of peace and dialogue.

/// END ACTUALITY ///

Mr. Musharraf spends Saturday in New Delhi for official ceremonies, a state banquet, and private meetings. Those meetings include one with top Kashmiri separatist leaders who have been invited to a reception at the Pakistani embassy despite strong Indian objections.

The formal summit meeting between General Musharraf and Mr. Vajpayee takes place on Sunday in Agra -- site of the famous Taj Mahal. Security has been tightened in New Delhi and Agra ahead of the summit as Islamic groups fighting for Kashmir's independence from India warned of fresh attacks to coincide with the meeting between the two countries. (Signed)

NEB/AJ/JWH