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Don't lose focus, India tells Pakistan

In a clear expression of displeasure with President Pervez Musharraf's plan to meet leaders of the All-Parties Hurriyat Conference, India asked Pakistan on Friday to ensure that "correct priorities are not lost sight of" ahead of the Agra summit and to desist from giving importance to "extraneous issues".

An external affairs ministry spokeswoman told reporters that India's views on the subject of the Hurriyat leaders meeting General Musharraf were "well-known".

New Delhi has termed the matter a "complete non-issue", asserting that the conglomerate of 23 separatist organisations had no role to play in the Indo-Pak talks.

Union Home Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani emphasised the need for a foreign dignitary to respect the sentiments of the host country.

Recalling his visit to East Germany in the late 1970s, he said he wanted to take a direct flight to New Delhi from Frankfurt, then in West Germany, but was advised that his hosts would take offence and it would be better to go to London and take a flight to India.

Advani made the remarks at the centenary celebrations of Jan Sangh founder Shyama Prasad Mukherjee.

PTI

Indo-Pak Summit 2001: The Complete Coverage

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