New Delhi, November 16
A day before Prime Minister Manmohan Singh begins his two-day visit to the troubled Jammu and Kashmir, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) today is understood to have discussed not only the prevailing situation there but also the visit of Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz to India.

The latter being an important factor as representatives from various Kashmiri separatist factions are expected to meet the Pakistani Prime Minister during his visit.

According to reports, the CCS also took into consideration the level of troop reduction which will be undertaken in Jammu and Kashmir, a decision which was taken by the Prime Minister at the last meeting of the security body last week.

The meeting also discussed various other measures which the Centre could take and announce during the Prime Minister’s visit and which could lead to speedy economic development in the state and also ensure return to normalcy.

The Prime Minister, who will pay a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir from tomorrow, presided over the 40-minute meeting.

Incidentally, the visit of Mr Aziz in his capacity as Chairman of Saarc comes in the backdrop of Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf’s new proposals for resolving the Kashmir issue.

Both Dr Singh and External Affairs Minister K. Natwar Singh have stated that the proposals could be considered if they were made formally.

Mr Aziz is expected to hand over Gen Musharraf’s proposals formally to India during his visit.

Among those who attended the meeting were Home Minister Shivraj Patil, K. Natwar Singh, Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, National Security Adviser J.N. Dixit, Army Chief General N.C. Vij and top officials.