Let the Hurriyat in

Sir, - The goodwill initiatives being taken by the Government are commendable. It should allow the All-Party Hurriyat Conference to attend the tea party to be hosted by the Pakistani High Commissioner. This way, we can show the extent of our openmindedness. We should not give Pakistan any chance to say later that India was rigid in its approach. As long as we are united, no tea party can destabilise us.

Mahantesh Keremane,

Bangalore

Sir, - The Pakistani High Commissioner's invitation to the Hurriyat leaders for tea with Gen. Musharraf has raised eyebrows in India. The Government has rightly played down the matter as a non-issue. It should go to the credit of the Vajpayee Government that some moderate leaders in the Hurriyat see in him a visionary. In fact, before the summit the Government was contemplating talking to all Kashmiri groups, including the Hurriyat. Therefore, there may be nothing wrong in allowing them to meet Gen. Musharraf. Though hard-liners and direct beneficiaries of continued conflict on both sides may try to place hurdles in the resolution of the Kashmir problem, the citizens of both nations who share common views and civilisation pray that the issue be resolved early. For this, realism

is required on both sides.

Mr. Mulayam Singh Yadav's suggestion to form a confederation of nations including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka should be given serious thought.

N.Chandramohan Rao,

Hyderabad

Sir, - High hopes have been raised by the forthcoming India- Pakistan summit. Given the goodwill of the people of the two countries, it will not be impossible to find solutions to all outstanding problems, Kashmir not excluded. There is no point in simply harping on issues which have defied solution for the past fifty years. Ordinary citizens of India and Pakistan do not look upon each other as enemies. In order to strengthen the areas of understanding, the direct rail link must be re-established on the pattern suggested by our President during his visit to China. The rail link between India and China and another from India to Pakistan will be a major achievement. A rail link from the land's end of Kanniyakumari to both these destinations will immensely boost trade and tourism.

K. P. Karunakaran Nair,

Thiruvananthapuram

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