Search the Internet          Tips

Musharraf charms everyone at 'High Tea'

Ramesh Menon in New Delhi

It was a massive show.

The tea party of President Pervez Musharraf, however, began with a hiccup.

The master of ceremonies announced in a baritone voice, "Ladies and Gentlemen. The President of..." and there was a pause.

It was almost as if he did not know what to say. Everyone wondered why. He started again "Ladies and Gentlemen, the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is here."

Over 450 pairs of eyes were focussed on the smartly turned out President as he walked out of the living room of the Ashraf Jehangir Qazi, the High Commissioner of Pakistan in India.

The President walked in brimming with self-confidence. Every step showed that. He walked into the richly decorated lawns which was well done up for the occasion. The distinguished guests stood, almost as a witness to history under a colourful shamiana (canopy).

Suddenly, the air was electrified.

Scores of cameramen and journalists rushed in hoping to get a golden quote and a picture of a lifetime. The mad rush was so intense that there was almost a stampede. Some horrified guests saw the food fly off the table and the lovely orchids, which were specially ordered, get crushed under heavy boots.

Mediapersons hungry to get a quote or make him spell out which way the wind would blow on Sunday morning in Agra, did not get anything.

All he said was that he would talk to them for hours later.

Obviously, the President did not want to talk before the summit.

Senior staff reporter of Nawai-i-Waqt Sohail Abdul Nasir said, "There was no news story that we expected at the tea party."

Qazi escorted the President around and introduced him to the VIP guests. The President took care to greet each of them.

"The President was the most sought after person at the tea party," said M Ziauddin, resident editor of the Pakistani newspaper Dawn.

Talking to a group of intellectuals and leading personalities, the Pakistani President said, "I am looking for a breakthrough in the summit."

He hardly talked, but listened patiently as the group told him that everyone wanted peace.

Musharraf told them that he wanted peace to happen and said that the whole world knew that India and Pakistan's relations with each other were tense.

Musharraf said was that he was happy with the reception he got and felt that Vajpayee was courageous enough to take the step to invite him.

For around half an hour before the tea party, the President met half a dozen representatives of the Hurriyat and listened to them. They told him that he should talk about their feelings and demands at the summit.

The President listened to them patiently and reportedly assured them of future meetings.

Among the guests at the tea party were former prime minister V P Singh, former foreign secretary Salman Haider, senior journalist Kuldip Nayyar, Samajwadi party leader Amar Singh, film actor and Samajwadi party MP Raj Babbar, film director Mahesh Bhatt and his wife Soni Razdan, and former model turned social activist Nafisa Ali.

Indo-Pak Summit 2001: The Complete Coverage

Back to top

Tell us what you think of this report