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Musharraf's mom, son lunch with PM

By Sheela Bhatt in New Delhi
Last updated on: March 22, 2005 20:05 IST
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Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf's mother Zarin, brother Javed and son Bilal on Monday had lunch with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at his 7 Race Course residence in New Delhi -- which marks a new high in India-Pakistan bonhomie.

Zarin MusharrafThe lunch was served under the watchful gaze of the prime minister's wife, Gursharan Kaur.

Also present were National Security Advisor M K Narayanan, Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan Shiv Shankar Menon and Pakistan's High Commissioner to India Aziz Ahmed Khan.

Bilal had met member of Parliament Rahul Gandhi at 10 Janpath, the Gandhis' residence, on Sunday.

The Musharraf family's India visit has been highly successful, with people greeting them warmly everywhere they went.

Bilal, in fact, was mobbed by girls at Lucknow University.

Also see: Musharaff's mom renews ties with alma mater

While meeting an old family friend in Aligarh, Zarin Musharraf said: 'Probably this is the last time you are seeing me, but I am thankful to Allah that yet again he has given me the opportunity to meet you.'

Zarin Musharraf, who studied in India, was at one point moved by the reception accorded to her to say: "A lot many times I feel like a stranger in Pakistan."

Thousands of Indians who went across to Pakistan after Partition in 1947 may echo her sentiments. According to an estimate, more than 8 million people were directly affected by the event.

At official and unofficial forums India and Pakistan have been talking about Kashmiri families divided between India and Pakistan, but few have spoken about the emotional trauma of families torn apart by Partition.

Also see: Musharraf's mom visits ancestral home

Strategic expert K Subhrahmanyam said: "This is a new beginning. We have only talked about separated families of Kashmir. We have overlooked the sentiments of  lakhs of families separated in 1947."

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Sheela Bhatt in New Delhi