Thursday, September 21 2006 15:33 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Washington: Bilateral and regional issues including Islamabad's relations with India are expected to figure during talks between Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf and top officials of Bush administration today (Sept 21,2006).

Musharraf, who held high profile meetings in New York, will meet Vice President Dick Cheney and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in Washington today.

Issues such as war on terror and the deal Pakistan had signed with the local tribal chiefs of the North are also expected to figure prominently in today's meetings.

The Pakistani President will meet the President George W Bush at the White House on Friday and expected to deliberate on the same issues.

Diplomats and experts on South Asia maintain that Musharraf will also bring up the sale of F-16s and repeat his views on the civilian nuclear deal that the US has signed with India, insisting that the same be offered to Islamabad as well.

Other critical issues that Musharraf and Bush are expected to discuss bilaterally on Friday and along with Afghan President Hamid Karzai in a three way meeting next Tuesday include the concern in the US administration about the deal Pakistan signed with the local tribal chiefs of the North and the ongoing war of words between Musharraf and Karzai.

Karzai in an interview to CNN on Tuesday strongly criticised Pakistan for the resurgence of Taliban.