NEWSLINKS US EDITION SOUTH ASIA COLUMNISTS DIARY SPECIALS INTERVIEWS CAPITAL BUZZ REDIFF POLL DEAR REDIFF THE STATES ELECTIONS ARCHIVES US ARCHIVES SEARCH REDIFF
American Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage's visit to India on Friday will involve discussions with Indian leaders on the stalemate in Indo-Pak relations and India's disappointment with the failure of the United States to get Pakistan to end cross-border terrorism.
During his daylong visit, Armitage will be meeting Defence Minister George Fernandes, National Security Adviser Brajesh Mishra, and Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal.
While Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee is in New York to attend the UN General Assembly session, Deputy Prime Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani and Foreign Minister Yashwant Sinha are absent from New Delhi, leaving Armitage to discuss 'routine' matters with the three people, who are not considered influential in India's foreign policy at this stage.
A senior official said Armitage would not be meeting Vajpayee because "there is nothing dramatic to discuss" at this point in time. "India is not very enthused" by the high-profile shuttle diplomacy by Western leaders that has resulted in no substantial gain, he said.
India will discuss the remark by Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf that some infiltration could be going on across the Line of Control. India will reassert its readiness for further military co-operation, including joint patrolling of the LoC.
Back to top
Tell us what you think of this report
