Islamabad, May 08: US Deputy Secretary Richard Armitage and Assistant Secretary of State Christina Rocca began hectic round of talks with top Pakistani leaders today to discuss the new Indo-Pak peace process, issues relating to Pakistan-Afghanistan as well as bilateral relations. Armitage, who arrived late evening yesterday after a meeting with National Security Advisor Brajesh Mishra at London yesterday has formally begun his tour by holding meetings with Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Muhammad Kasuri and top Pakistan officials.
Later in the day, he along with Rocca are scheduled to hold talks with President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali. Later in the night he was scheduled to attend a dinner hosted by the US Embassy in which he would meet various leaders of Pakistan's mainstream political parties.
He would leave for Kabul tomorrow after his talks here and then fly to New Delhi for discussions with Indian leaders.
Armitage's visit assumes significance as the new Indo-Pak peace process appeared to have hit the snag. India gave a cool response to confidence-building measures announced yesterday by Jamali and left little doubt of its disquiet over Pakistan not addressing the issue of cross-border terrorism. Bureau Report