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Advani sees peace flow through the Sindhu

India's radar seems to be firmly focused on both General Pervez Musharraf and Pakistan. Even at the inauguration of the fifth Sindhu Darshan festival here, they did not escape mention.

Union Home Minister L K Advani, who addressed the function, recalled his visit to Leh the previous year. "Last year, both [Prime Minister] Vajpayee ji and I were here. When he dipped his hand in the Sindhu here, I told him that if Musharraf was doing the same thing in Pakistan at that very time, he would feel Vajpayeeji's warmth and friendship flowing towards him."

The prime minister's efforts, said the home minister, had borne fruit and resulted in Musharraf's impending visit to India. He told the ambassadors of Norway and South Korea, who were present at the function, that he hoped the Sindhu river, which begins in Tibet and flows to Batalik and from there into Pakistan, would become an instrument of unity not just within the country, "but also between countries like, say, India and Pakistan."

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah exhorted people to enjoy the beauty of the place and not to focus on political problems. "They will always be there."

He requested the prime minister to consider opening a direct route from Leh to Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar, both of which are in China and are important centres of pilgrimage for Hindus. "There are good motorable roads from here, so the border can be reached within a couple of days. The people can then travel in comfort in air-conditioned cars."

Advani, who promptly accepted the chief minister's request, explained that the matter had been raised with China, but that government had reservations. "But," he told the chief minister, "as you have raised this issue again, we will once again pursue the matter. We will talk to China about their reservations and see what we can do to alleviate them."

Later, Abdullah was questioned about Ladakh's renewed demand for autonomy and Union Territory status. His reply was firm: "There can be no question of dividing the state. If this happens, it will be the end of India's oneness."

On the Ladakhis' increasing feeling of isolation and step-motherly treatment, he said that Rs 42 crore had been allotted to the area. "We cannot give more, unless we get more from the Centre. Do you know that, every year, they are not able to spend the allocated funds? There is only a five-month window in which this can be done."

The Centre's emissary, K C Pant, he said, was in the state to listen to the grievances of the people and to then given his impressions about what he had heard, to the prime minister. On the importance that Pant was giving the Hurriyat, Abdullah laughed and said, "I think you should ask him about that."

He was hopeful about Musharraf's trip, terming it as a "start". He said, "Let the ice break and then there will be some progress." As for the general's letter, which placed the Kashmir issue at the centre of the talks, he said, "Let both sides set their tones."

On whether he was keen on meeting the general, Abdullah said, "He is meeting my prime minister. That is good enough for me."

Abdullah also iterated his belief that the "Line of Control should be become the border between India and Pakistan. The only other solution to the matter is a major war."

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