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Though the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) maintains that former Pakistan prime minister Benazir Bhutto has been invited to deliver the key note address at its function in her capacity as a woman achiever, political observers in India attach great importance to the timing of her visit at this juncture.
Former foreign secretary J N Dixit told rediff.com that the visit definitely has political significance.
Political observers feel it could be a stepping-stone towards her return to Pakistan.
"She is one of the most credible political leaders of Pakistan who has had the distinction of being the prime minister of her country twice. It all depends upon who does she meets during her three-day visit to India beginning on November 26," Dixit said.
"It is possible that she wants to convey a message to Pakistan President Gen Pervez Musharraf through India," he added.
Significantly, during her second term in office, Bhutto had ordered the arrest of Saudi extremist Osama bin Laden. However, Pakistan's military intelligence wing, the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI), managed to smuggle Laden out of Pakistan and lodge him at a safe house in Afghanistan.
At this juncture, Gen Pervez Musharraf is committed to restoring democracy in Pakistan before October next year. In that scenario, he could appoint her as prime minister and rule by proxy, say observers.
Secondly, Bhutto's return would also counter the pressure exerted on him by the supporters of another former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who is now in exile.
As of now, Sharif's supporters have a free run of the political space in Pakistan.
The stumbling blocks are the numerous corruption cases Benazir and her husband are embroiled in, a senior external affairs ministry official told rediff.com.
During her visit, Bhutto is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Home Minister L K Advani and Leader of Opposition Sonia Gandhi.
She is scheduled to address a press conference soon after delivering her lecture on November 26.
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