Vajpayee accepts Pakistan invitation

New Delhi - The Indian Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajapyee, yesterday said he has accepted an invitation from President Pervez…

New Delhi - The Indian Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajapyee, yesterday said he has accepted an invitation from President Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan for another round of talks between the two leaders.

"Only the timing of the visit and the place we will meet are to be decided," Mr Vajpayee said.

Mr Musharraf's formal invitation to Mr Vajpayee was handed over by the Pakistani High Commissioner in New Delhi, Mr Ashraf Jehangir Qazi, on Friday.

The July 14th-16th Vajpayee-Musharraf summit in the Taj Mahal town of Agra failed to issue a joint declaration, with a territorial dispute over the divided state of Kashmir the sticking point.

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Pakistan said Kashmir must be a "core" issue in any joint declaration for easing bilateral tensions.

India, which accuses Pakistan of backing Islamic insurgents in Kashmir, insisted its neighbour must stop supporting separatist groups in the Himalayan state. Pakistan denies this charge.