What Can They Talk With the Kashmir cease-fire floundering amid repeated cross-border firing, the Centre takes a major initiative to resume a dialogue with Pakistan. However, the ghosts of Lahore loom over the horizon, raising doubts about any positive outcome in the new attempt at peace-making.

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With the fall of the Koijam government, a Samata-BJP battle has erupted in Manipur. But the stakes seem to be at the Centre.

Going By The Laws
Om Prakash Chautala has launched a flurry of criminal cases against his opponents in what is being seen as political vendetta.

Badland Badshah
As India's most wanted politician Mohammed Shahabuddin evades arrest, more details come out on his alleged links with Kashmiri militants and Pakistani agents.

Crash Landing
The MD's suspension has highlighted the rot in India's flag carrier.

COVER STORY: INDIA-PAKISTAN RELATIONS

THE KASHMIR CHECKER BOARD: THE PLAYERS AND THEIR GAME PLANS

Infiltr-ation routes

Training camps

Troops

Major strikes

PAKISTAN: Push India for Tripartite talks with Hurriyat
MUSHARRAF: Kashmir centric. Will push for a tripartite dialogue involving India, Pakistan and 'the Kashmiris'.	ISI: Wants to continue with bleed-India policy. Will continue to arm, train and finance jehadi forces.	SALAHUDDIN: The Hizb-ulMujahideen chief doesn't want Musharraf to accept invitation until India commits to tripartite talks.	QAZI: The Jamaat-e-Islami chief wants Musharraf to take a hardline on Kashmir and is not for composite talks.
INDIA: Wants to be proactive and set the pace
VAJPAYEE: The dove. But is wary after Lahore deceit. Will test the waters before trying to make a breakthrough.	ADVANI: Semi-hawk. Wants tough action on ground but agrees the peace process should be given a chance.	JASWANT: Wants talks but worried India may be trapped into focusing on Kashmir. Insists on a composite dialogue.	PADMANABHAN: Feels talks will help reduce violence and check cross-border terrorism.
FAROOQ: Happier with direct talks between Delhi and Islamabad precluding Hurriyat.	ZARGAR: Kashmir militant leader says Pakistan is best lawyer for Kashmir. Demands withdrawal of troops.	HURRIYAT: Welcomes invitation to Musharraf, hopes Pakistan obtains its opinion as representative of Kashmir.

Vajpayee's Journey: From Lahore to Delhi via The Tortuous Road Through Kargil

FEBRUARY 1999: Bus to Lahore, signs the Lahore Declaration with Nawaz Sharif. Agrees to military cbms and discussions on Kashmir. Kargil war breaks out, ties frozen, Musharraf stages coup in October 1999.

NOVEMBER 2000: Cease-fire announced. National Security Adviser Brajesh Mishra talks to Hurriyat through R.K. Mishra. The initiative stalls on issue of Hurriyat's Pakistan visit.

APRIL 2001: Appoints K.C. Pant as Centre's negotiator; dialogue falters with Hurriyat rejecting the initiative.

MAY 2001: With the failure of the Kashmir initiative staring in the face, Vajpayee does an about-turn in stand and invites Pakistan's Chief Executive Musharraf for a composite dialogue.

WORLD VIEW

THE US: Currently tilting in India's favour. CHINA: Neutral. But in a crisis will support Pakistan RUSSIA: Still pals with India and can be relied on. THE UN: Relieved that dialogue will be resumed.

MetroScape

The Nifty Ways
When Shubhangini Singh saw the unglamorous tori (sponge gourd) at a vegetable stall, she didn't think "great culinary potential", she thought "great design possibility" instead.
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