Even the cynics criticising Musharraf for making the journey to Agra without mandate expected a joint declaration. There wasn't even a joint statement. They found a self-confessing powerless army chief who claimed he'd have to live in India in his old neharwali house if he signed a declaration. The civilian leaders signed Simla, Islamabad and Lahore. All honourable agreements.
Diplomacy is the art of the possible.
Political leaders are trained in the art of give and take. General Musharraf is a military dictator. When he speaks, others jump to attention. If they don't, they are locked away. It was startling to witness the puerile brinkmanship where the Indians called the bluff.