"It is a friendly visit... Every visit does not have to become state visit," Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's media advisor Sanjaya Baru said.

He said India would be happy to host Musharraf for witnessing any of the matches and external affairs ministry had been asked to check with Islamabad for his visit to enable the government make necessary arrangements including security.

Baru recalled that late Pakistan president Ziaul Haq had come to India to watch one of the cricket matches between the two countries.

"All our neighbours should feel free to come to India any time they want," he said.

Baru's remarks came a day after Indian cricket board president Ranbir Singh Mahendra had expressed desire to invite the Pakistan president to watch one of the matches.

He said that the Indian board had written to sports ministry conveying its desire to invite Musharraf and urging to get in touch with the external affairs ministry to explore the possibility for this.