Pakistan military ruler General Pervez Musharraf on Tuesday formally accepted Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s invitation for a summit meeting in New Delhi, saying he looked forward to sincere and candid discussions to resolve the Kashmir issue in accordance with the wishes of the Kashmiri people. “Pakistan has always sought to establish tension-free and cooperative relations with India so that our people may be able to devote their resources and energies to the task of economic and social development,” he said in his letter which was handed over to foreign secretary Chokila Iyer by Pakistan High Commissioner Ashraf Jehangir Qazi.
Unlike Vajpayee who, in his invitation, avoided any reference to contentious issues, Musharraf, in his reply to the Prime Minister, spoke of Kashmir ``dispute`` being the ``root cause of tension`` between the two countries. ``I, therefore, look forward to sincere and candid discussion with you to resolve the issue of Jammu and Kashmir in accordance with the wishes of the Kashmiri people.
``We are ready to discuss all other outstanding issues between our two countries as well,`` Musharraf said. He said ``at the beginning of the new century, our two countries must do their utmost to overcome the legacy of distrust and hostility, in order to build a bright future for our peoples``.
Stating that he was accepting Vajpayee`s invitation to him and his wife ``with great pleasure``, Musharraf said ``We wish to see a stable and prosperous India at peace with its neighbours``. An external affairs ministry spokesman said, ``We are glad that the chief executive of Pakistan has very kindly accepted Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee`s invitation to him to visit India``.
Dates for the visit will be finalised through mutual consultations, he said.
Click here for the text of Musharraf’s letter
Bureau Report