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INDIAN POLITICS LOSES POET AND ELDER STATESMAN
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INDIAN POLITICS LOSES POET AND ELDER STATESMAN
By: Balbir Singh Sooch-Sikh Vichar Manch
The then Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee as seen and looked: Then Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf consoled then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at Agra: PHOTO SPEAKS
SHARING THE TRIBUTES AND MEMORY NOW: AS INDIAN POLITICS LOSES POET AND ELDER STATESMAN:
1. The then Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and I were humiliated at Agra, says Then Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf: DNA
2. NEW DELHI: Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, 25 December 1924 – 16 August 2018; Bharat Ratna, poet, politician passed away at AIIMS this evening, Thursday 16, 2018 at 5.05 pm bringing to an end a glorious political innings. He was 93.
Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Atal Bihari Vajpayee death: Tributes:
3. “Atal Bihari Vajpayee: Statesman and pragmatist, orator and poet, a man of peace and conviction. Atal Bihari Vajpayee was a towering nationalist who softened the often sharp edge of his party's politics with sophisticated inclusiveness, earning him the sobriquet "ajaat shatru" or the man with no enemies”. The Tribune, Chandigarh
4. “Atal Bihari Vajpayee: The 3-Time PM Who Captivated India With His Oratory: In 1957, a first-timer's debut speech in parliament so impressed then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru that he predicted, while introducing the young politician to a foreign dignitary, "this young man will one day become prime minister". Atal Bihari Vajpayee did so, thrice."
5. “A great loss, says Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal condoled the demise of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today, saying his death was “a great loss” for the country. Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia had visited the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi, where Vajpayee was admitted since June 11, earlier today. “Am deeply saddened. A great loss for India,” Kejriwal tweeted. The chief minister, who turned 50 today, had appealed to his party’s volunteers and well wishers to avoid celebrating his birthday.
6. 'A reasoned critique, seeker of consensus,' Pranab praises Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee: "Deeply saddened at the passing away of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee," said former President Pranab Mukherjee. "A reasoned critique in opposition and a seeker of consensus as PM, Atal Ji was a democrat to the core. In his passing away, India has lost a great son and an era has come to an end. My deepest condolences," he added”. THE HINDU
7. “Vajpayee had no enemies, says Chidambaram: Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram described former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee as someone who anchored the BJP close to the middle and did not allow the party to swing to the extreme right of the political spectrum. In a condolence message, he said it was a fact that Vajpayee had no enemies and it was his distinguishing hallmark. “As long as he was at the helm, he resolutely anchored the BJP close to the middle and did not allow the party to swing to the extreme right of the political spectrum,” he said. The former finance and home minister said the BJP patriarch would be remembered for many things but above all for his genuine efforts to resolve the decades-long hostility between Pakistan and India. “Vajpayee ji was a man of great wisdom, tolerance and compassion. He led his party to its first victory in national elections and established the credentials of the BJP to run the central government,” he said.
8. Vajpayee will be remembered for remarkable leadership: Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu: Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu condoled the demise of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, saying he will be remembered for his remarkable leadership and devotion to duty. “I visited him this morning but didn’t imagine that the end will come so soon. He is, undoubtedly, one of the tallest leaders in post- independence India,” he said in his condolence message. Mr. Naidu said Vajpayee’s contribution to strengthen democracy and good governance has been stupendous. He successfully ran a coalition of 23 parties with his rare persuasive charm and competence, he recalled. “He will be remembered for ushering in the connectivity revolution in the country. His personality, oratory, devotion to duty and friendliness all combined in his remarkable leadership will be remembered for a along time to come,” he said. 9. Lost my closest friend: L.K. Advani: "I am at a loss of words to express my deep grief and sadness today as we all mourn the passing away of one of India’s tallest statesmen, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee. To me, Atalji was more than a senior colleague- in fact he was my closest friend for over 65 years," said L.K. Advani. "As my senior, he always encouraged and guided me in every possible manner."His captivating leadership qualities, mesmerising oratory, soaring patriotism and above all, his sterling humane qualities like compassion, humility and his remarkable ability to win over adversories despite ideological differences have all had a profound effect on me in all my years in public life," Mr. Advani said”. THE HINDU
10. "US grieves with India": US Consulate mourns Atal Bihari Vajpayee: The US Consulate has expressed grief over former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's death in a statement issued by them. "The United States grieves with India on the loss of former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee. He will be remembered for his immense contribution in bolstering U.S.-India relations," the statement said. "During his tenure, Prime Minister Vajpayee advocated for a robust partnership with the United States, referring to us as "natural allies." "The US Mission in India extends our deepest condolences to the family of former Prime Minister Vajpayee and the citizens of India," the statement added. NDTV.
11. “Modi says ‘India grieves the demise of our Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji’: “His passing away marks the end of an era. He lived for the nation and served it assiduously for decades. My thoughts are with his family, BJP Karyakartas and millions of admirers in this hour of sadness. Om Shanti,” tweeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “It was Atal Ji's exemplary leadership that set the foundations for a strong, prosperous and inclusive India in the 21st century. His futuristic policies across various sectors touched the lives of each and every citizen of India.” “Atal Ji's passing away is a personal and irreplaceable loss for me. I have countless fond memories with him. He was an inspiration to Karyakartas like me. I will particularly remember his sharp intellect and outstanding wit.” “It was due to the perseverance and struggles of Atal Ji that the BJP was built brick by brick. He travelled across the length and breadth of India to spread the BJP's message, which led to the BJP becoming a strong force in our national polity and in several states.”THE HINDU
“The Kashmir Dispute was ‘Almost Resolved’ and Why Not Now?
12. Who did abandon, ditch-discard, cancel the ‘History remembers the Agra Summit as one of the greatest missed opportunities of India-Pakistan relations for then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee as the Kashmir Dispute was ‘Almost Resolved’ by Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in the Agra Summit’?
13. But there were roadblocks within the Indian establishment as well. Former Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) Chief AS Dulat said in a 2015 interview that it was then Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani who derailed the Agra Summit.
Or
14. Were then, ‘The Indian Cabinet, Separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani’ so powerful to over-rule and derail the agreement in the Agra Summit by passing then the Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee or did other “Some Powers”, the Indian intelligent agencies controlling India play the role to over-rule and derail the agreement at the Agra Summit? The Kashmir Dispute was ‘Almost Resolved’ and Why Not Now? - An Analysis By: Balbir Singh Sooch-Sikh Vichar Manch: Posted on Feb 14, 18 | 4:51 am by South Asian Pulse, Hon. Editor: Rana Abdul Baqi”
15. Who could guess or rightly answer as to by whom, how, why and what for, the signing of the agreement was over-ruled and derailed at the Agra Summit? Then Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf consoled then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at Agra. PHOTO SPEAKS
Atal Bihari Vajpayee had warned Indira Gandhi against Operation Bluestar:
16. “Atal Bihari Vajpayee had warned Indira Gandhi against Operation Bluestar: By Ajmer Singh, ET Bureau|Updated: Feb 07, 2014, 07.42 AM IST
17. NEW DELHI: Sometime in May 1984 or so, Atal Bihari Vajpayee was in Bangalore, undergoing naturopathy treatment, when the prime minister said she wanted to speak to him urgently.
18. The BJP has accused the Congress of not trying hard enough for alternatives that could have avoided bloodshed of the scale that followed.
19. His reply to Gandhi has come to light as part of the compiling of his speeches, interviews and other statements by the Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini, a training and research institute supported by the BJP.
20. It wasn't widely known previously that he'd spoken to Gandhi and made clear his opposition to military action. "Yes, it figures in Samagra Ataljee, " said Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, director general of the institute based in a suburb of Mumbai” THE ECONOMIC TIMES
“Vajpayee and I were humiliated at Agra, says Musharraf: DNA
21. ISLAMABAD: Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf is of the view that both he and the then Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had been "humiliated" at the Agra summit in 2001 "by someone above" the two of them. Updated: Sep 25, 2006, 05:25 PM IST
22. Writing about the failed summit in his book 'In The Line of Fire' released on Monday, Musharraf discloses that twice he had decided to cut short his stay in Agra after the Indians had "backed out" of what had been agreed earlier. However, he had been persuaded by his diplomats not to do so.
23. According to the General's account of the events in Agra, after two prolonged interactions with Vajpayee, a "balanced" joint declaration acceptable to both of them was drafted. It contained a condemnation of terrorism and recognition that Kashmir needed to be resolved.
24. "The signing ceremony was scheduled for the afternoon (of July 17) in the hotel J P Palace where Prime Minister Vajpayee was staying and where we held our dialogue.
25. Preparations in the hotel were complete, down to the table and two chairs where we would sit for the signing ceremony," he writes.
26. Barely an hour later he had been informed by his foreign minister Abdul Sattar that "the Indians have backed out" as their Cabinet had rejected the draft.
27. There was no Indian Cabinet in Agra and "I became very angry, and my impulse was to leave for Islamabad immediately".
28. After being cooled down by his diplomats, Musharraf says he allowed them to try for a redraft and cancelled his visit to Ajmer that evening.
29. "The redrafting took another two to three hours of intense haggling over words and sentences. But ultimately my team returned, signalling success. They showed me the new draft which I approved," he writes adding that he had told his wife that the Agra declaration would hit the headlines the next day.
30. "Yet this too was not to be. Just as I was about to leave for the signing ceremony I received a message that the Indians had backed out again. This was preposterous. I decided to leave immediately, but my foreign minister now persuaded me to call on Prime Minister Vajpayee before leaving. I consented to fulfill this diplomatic protocol, though much against my wishes," Musharraf says.
31. Recalling his meeting with Vajpayee at 11 pm, the General says, "I told him bluntly that there seem to be someone above the two of us who had the power to overrule us. I also said that today both of use had been humiliated. He sat there, speechless. I left abruptly after thanking him in a brisk manner."
32. "Vajpayee (had) failed to grasp the moment and lost his moment in history," he concludes.
33. "This sad and ridiculous episode ended our first attempt towards normalisation of relations," Musharraf says.
34. Recalling his next face-to-face with Vajpayee at the Kathmandu SAARC Summit in January 2002, the Pakistani leader claims that he "upstaged" the Prime Minister of the largest democracy in the world.
35. "As I finished my speech and on the spur of the moment, I moved to the front of the table (behind which all leaders of the region were seated), confronted Prime Minister Vajpayee head-on, and extended my hand for a handshake. He (Vajpayee) was left with no choice but to stand and accept it," Musharraf says.
36. He says that the handshake had a desired effect and Vajpayee decided to visit Pakistan for the SAARC Summit in January 2004 where the two leaders had a "happy meeting" and this time agreed on a written joint agreement.
37. The two leaders decided to move the peace process forward through a composite dialogue, which includes the dispute over Jammu and Kashmir. "Again, however, it was not to be" as early elections were held in India and BJP lost, the Pakistan President notes. "That changed the entire scenario of the peace process".
38. Talking about his meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during his visit to New Delhi in April 2005 to watch an Indo-Pak cricket match, Musharraf says it ended in a "very positive joint declaration." On his next meeting with Singh in New York on September 14, last year, Musharraf recalls "the occasion started on a down note, with the Indians very upset at the tenor of my speech to the (UN) General Assembly. "I thought they were being unnecessarily sensitive. The dialogue heated up quite a bit, perhaps because my military gruffness, but our respective foreign ministers soon cooled the situation down." He notes that the discussions took place in a "tense atmosphere" and the situation improved after dinner. "However, we did manage to draft a bland joint statement," the Pakistan President says. Referring to his invitation to Singh to visit Pakistan which he accepted readily, Musharraf says he was still awaiting that to happen. But he notes that the bilateral relations are better than they ever were”. DNA
SHARING THE TRIBUTES AND MEMORY NOW: AS INDIAN POLITICS LOSES POET AND ELDER STATESMAN:
1. The then Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and I were humiliated at Agra, says Then Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf: DNA
2. NEW DELHI: Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, 25 December 1924 – 16 August 2018; Bharat Ratna, poet, politician passed away at AIIMS this evening, Thursday 16, 2018 at 5.05 pm bringing to an end a glorious political innings. He was 93.
Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Atal Bihari Vajpayee death: Tributes:
3. “Atal Bihari Vajpayee: Statesman and pragmatist, orator and poet, a man of peace and conviction. Atal Bihari Vajpayee was a towering nationalist who softened the often sharp edge of his party's politics with sophisticated inclusiveness, earning him the sobriquet "ajaat shatru" or the man with no enemies”. The Tribune, Chandigarh
4. “Atal Bihari Vajpayee: The 3-Time PM Who Captivated India With His Oratory: In 1957, a first-timer's debut speech in parliament so impressed then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru that he predicted, while introducing the young politician to a foreign dignitary, "this young man will one day become prime minister". Atal Bihari Vajpayee did so, thrice."
5. “A great loss, says Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal condoled the demise of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today, saying his death was “a great loss” for the country. Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia had visited the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi, where Vajpayee was admitted since June 11, earlier today. “Am deeply saddened. A great loss for India,” Kejriwal tweeted. The chief minister, who turned 50 today, had appealed to his party’s volunteers and well wishers to avoid celebrating his birthday.
6. 'A reasoned critique, seeker of consensus,' Pranab praises Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee: "Deeply saddened at the passing away of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee," said former President Pranab Mukherjee. "A reasoned critique in opposition and a seeker of consensus as PM, Atal Ji was a democrat to the core. In his passing away, India has lost a great son and an era has come to an end. My deepest condolences," he added”. THE HINDU
7. “Vajpayee had no enemies, says Chidambaram: Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram described former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee as someone who anchored the BJP close to the middle and did not allow the party to swing to the extreme right of the political spectrum. In a condolence message, he said it was a fact that Vajpayee had no enemies and it was his distinguishing hallmark. “As long as he was at the helm, he resolutely anchored the BJP close to the middle and did not allow the party to swing to the extreme right of the political spectrum,” he said. The former finance and home minister said the BJP patriarch would be remembered for many things but above all for his genuine efforts to resolve the decades-long hostility between Pakistan and India. “Vajpayee ji was a man of great wisdom, tolerance and compassion. He led his party to its first victory in national elections and established the credentials of the BJP to run the central government,” he said.
8. Vajpayee will be remembered for remarkable leadership: Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu: Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu condoled the demise of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, saying he will be remembered for his remarkable leadership and devotion to duty. “I visited him this morning but didn’t imagine that the end will come so soon. He is, undoubtedly, one of the tallest leaders in post- independence India,” he said in his condolence message. Mr. Naidu said Vajpayee’s contribution to strengthen democracy and good governance has been stupendous. He successfully ran a coalition of 23 parties with his rare persuasive charm and competence, he recalled. “He will be remembered for ushering in the connectivity revolution in the country. His personality, oratory, devotion to duty and friendliness all combined in his remarkable leadership will be remembered for a along time to come,” he said. 9. Lost my closest friend: L.K. Advani: "I am at a loss of words to express my deep grief and sadness today as we all mourn the passing away of one of India’s tallest statesmen, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee. To me, Atalji was more than a senior colleague- in fact he was my closest friend for over 65 years," said L.K. Advani. "As my senior, he always encouraged and guided me in every possible manner."His captivating leadership qualities, mesmerising oratory, soaring patriotism and above all, his sterling humane qualities like compassion, humility and his remarkable ability to win over adversories despite ideological differences have all had a profound effect on me in all my years in public life," Mr. Advani said”. THE HINDU
10. "US grieves with India": US Consulate mourns Atal Bihari Vajpayee: The US Consulate has expressed grief over former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's death in a statement issued by them. "The United States grieves with India on the loss of former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee. He will be remembered for his immense contribution in bolstering U.S.-India relations," the statement said. "During his tenure, Prime Minister Vajpayee advocated for a robust partnership with the United States, referring to us as "natural allies." "The US Mission in India extends our deepest condolences to the family of former Prime Minister Vajpayee and the citizens of India," the statement added. NDTV.
11. “Modi says ‘India grieves the demise of our Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji’: “His passing away marks the end of an era. He lived for the nation and served it assiduously for decades. My thoughts are with his family, BJP Karyakartas and millions of admirers in this hour of sadness. Om Shanti,” tweeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “It was Atal Ji's exemplary leadership that set the foundations for a strong, prosperous and inclusive India in the 21st century. His futuristic policies across various sectors touched the lives of each and every citizen of India.” “Atal Ji's passing away is a personal and irreplaceable loss for me. I have countless fond memories with him. He was an inspiration to Karyakartas like me. I will particularly remember his sharp intellect and outstanding wit.” “It was due to the perseverance and struggles of Atal Ji that the BJP was built brick by brick. He travelled across the length and breadth of India to spread the BJP's message, which led to the BJP becoming a strong force in our national polity and in several states.”THE HINDU
“The Kashmir Dispute was ‘Almost Resolved’ and Why Not Now?
12. Who did abandon, ditch-discard, cancel the ‘History remembers the Agra Summit as one of the greatest missed opportunities of India-Pakistan relations for then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee as the Kashmir Dispute was ‘Almost Resolved’ by Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in the Agra Summit’?
13. But there were roadblocks within the Indian establishment as well. Former Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) Chief AS Dulat said in a 2015 interview that it was then Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani who derailed the Agra Summit.
Or
14. Were then, ‘The Indian Cabinet, Separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani’ so powerful to over-rule and derail the agreement in the Agra Summit by passing then the Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee or did other “Some Powers”, the Indian intelligent agencies controlling India play the role to over-rule and derail the agreement at the Agra Summit? The Kashmir Dispute was ‘Almost Resolved’ and Why Not Now? - An Analysis By: Balbir Singh Sooch-Sikh Vichar Manch: Posted on Feb 14, 18 | 4:51 am by South Asian Pulse, Hon. Editor: Rana Abdul Baqi”
15. Who could guess or rightly answer as to by whom, how, why and what for, the signing of the agreement was over-ruled and derailed at the Agra Summit? Then Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf consoled then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at Agra. PHOTO SPEAKS
Atal Bihari Vajpayee had warned Indira Gandhi against Operation Bluestar:
16. “Atal Bihari Vajpayee had warned Indira Gandhi against Operation Bluestar: By Ajmer Singh, ET Bureau|Updated: Feb 07, 2014, 07.42 AM IST
17. NEW DELHI: Sometime in May 1984 or so, Atal Bihari Vajpayee was in Bangalore, undergoing naturopathy treatment, when the prime minister said she wanted to speak to him urgently.
18. The BJP has accused the Congress of not trying hard enough for alternatives that could have avoided bloodshed of the scale that followed.
19. His reply to Gandhi has come to light as part of the compiling of his speeches, interviews and other statements by the Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini, a training and research institute supported by the BJP.
20. It wasn't widely known previously that he'd spoken to Gandhi and made clear his opposition to military action. "Yes, it figures in Samagra Ataljee, " said Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, director general of the institute based in a suburb of Mumbai” THE ECONOMIC TIMES
“Vajpayee and I were humiliated at Agra, says Musharraf: DNA
21. ISLAMABAD: Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf is of the view that both he and the then Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had been "humiliated" at the Agra summit in 2001 "by someone above" the two of them. Updated: Sep 25, 2006, 05:25 PM IST
22. Writing about the failed summit in his book 'In The Line of Fire' released on Monday, Musharraf discloses that twice he had decided to cut short his stay in Agra after the Indians had "backed out" of what had been agreed earlier. However, he had been persuaded by his diplomats not to do so.
23. According to the General's account of the events in Agra, after two prolonged interactions with Vajpayee, a "balanced" joint declaration acceptable to both of them was drafted. It contained a condemnation of terrorism and recognition that Kashmir needed to be resolved.
24. "The signing ceremony was scheduled for the afternoon (of July 17) in the hotel J P Palace where Prime Minister Vajpayee was staying and where we held our dialogue.
25. Preparations in the hotel were complete, down to the table and two chairs where we would sit for the signing ceremony," he writes.
26. Barely an hour later he had been informed by his foreign minister Abdul Sattar that "the Indians have backed out" as their Cabinet had rejected the draft.
27. There was no Indian Cabinet in Agra and "I became very angry, and my impulse was to leave for Islamabad immediately".
28. After being cooled down by his diplomats, Musharraf says he allowed them to try for a redraft and cancelled his visit to Ajmer that evening.
29. "The redrafting took another two to three hours of intense haggling over words and sentences. But ultimately my team returned, signalling success. They showed me the new draft which I approved," he writes adding that he had told his wife that the Agra declaration would hit the headlines the next day.
30. "Yet this too was not to be. Just as I was about to leave for the signing ceremony I received a message that the Indians had backed out again. This was preposterous. I decided to leave immediately, but my foreign minister now persuaded me to call on Prime Minister Vajpayee before leaving. I consented to fulfill this diplomatic protocol, though much against my wishes," Musharraf says.
31. Recalling his meeting with Vajpayee at 11 pm, the General says, "I told him bluntly that there seem to be someone above the two of us who had the power to overrule us. I also said that today both of use had been humiliated. He sat there, speechless. I left abruptly after thanking him in a brisk manner."
32. "Vajpayee (had) failed to grasp the moment and lost his moment in history," he concludes.
33. "This sad and ridiculous episode ended our first attempt towards normalisation of relations," Musharraf says.
34. Recalling his next face-to-face with Vajpayee at the Kathmandu SAARC Summit in January 2002, the Pakistani leader claims that he "upstaged" the Prime Minister of the largest democracy in the world.
35. "As I finished my speech and on the spur of the moment, I moved to the front of the table (behind which all leaders of the region were seated), confronted Prime Minister Vajpayee head-on, and extended my hand for a handshake. He (Vajpayee) was left with no choice but to stand and accept it," Musharraf says.
36. He says that the handshake had a desired effect and Vajpayee decided to visit Pakistan for the SAARC Summit in January 2004 where the two leaders had a "happy meeting" and this time agreed on a written joint agreement.
37. The two leaders decided to move the peace process forward through a composite dialogue, which includes the dispute over Jammu and Kashmir. "Again, however, it was not to be" as early elections were held in India and BJP lost, the Pakistan President notes. "That changed the entire scenario of the peace process".
38. Talking about his meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during his visit to New Delhi in April 2005 to watch an Indo-Pak cricket match, Musharraf says it ended in a "very positive joint declaration." On his next meeting with Singh in New York on September 14, last year, Musharraf recalls "the occasion started on a down note, with the Indians very upset at the tenor of my speech to the (UN) General Assembly. "I thought they were being unnecessarily sensitive. The dialogue heated up quite a bit, perhaps because my military gruffness, but our respective foreign ministers soon cooled the situation down." He notes that the discussions took place in a "tense atmosphere" and the situation improved after dinner. "However, we did manage to draft a bland joint statement," the Pakistan President says. Referring to his invitation to Singh to visit Pakistan which he accepted readily, Musharraf says he was still awaiting that to happen. But he notes that the bilateral relations are better than they ever were”. DNA
Highlights Forwarded By: Balbir Singh Sooch-Sikh Vichar Manch.
http://sikhvicharmanch.com/
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The then Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee as seen and looked: Then Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf consoled then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at Agra: PHOTO SPEAKS