The Hindu : News / National : Could talk to Pak if action taken against 26/11 perpetrators: Manmohan
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said India could resume dialogue with Pakistan on all issues if “concrete” and “effective” action is taken against those behind the Mumbai terror strikes but made it clear that there was no need for the US or any other country to get involved in the Indo-Pak affairs.
Dr. Singh made known his dissatisfaction over insufficient action by Pakistan with regard to those behind 26/11 as he said that several of the “conspirators”, including LeT chief Hafiz Saeed, were still roaming about freely.
Addressing a press conference here, he rejected Pakistan’s contention that there was not enough evidence to act against Saeed and said the proof, even that gathered by American agencies, was already in public domain and there was no need to give any more.
Dr. Singh, who conveyed to President Barack Obama India’s unhappiness over Pakistan’s attitude on dealing with terrorism and particularly named Saeed and al-Qaeda leader Ilyas Kashmiri in this regard, hoped that the points he raised would “weigh considerably” on the US government.
“Open secret”
Disagreeing that he had taken “complaint” against Pakistan to Mr. Obama, he said he had to “explain” India’s perspective, which is an “open secret”, whenever anyone asks at meetings about the bilateral relations between India and Pakistan.
“We have said more than once that Pakistan, if it takes credible steps to bring the perpetrators of the horrible crime of 26/11 to book... that’s the minimum we expect from Pakistan and if Pakistan does that, we would be very happy to talk to them and beginning talking to them once again on all our issues,” Dr. Singh said.
When pointed out that Pakistan was already prosecuting seven terrorists in connection with 26/11, the Prime Minister said there were “other people” named in the conspiracy who were “roaming about freely” in Pakistan.
“That is the reality and these are facts which are brought about, not only by our intelligence agencies, but by intelligence agencies of friendly countries. We want Pakistan to at least bring those people to book and do it effectively.”
Rebuffing Pakistan Premier Yusuf Raza Gilani for saying that Pakistan did not have enough evidence to act against LeT leaders like Saeed, Singh said, “First of all, I do not see the need for any further evidence about the role of LeT.”
Observing that he hated to “enter into an argument” with Mr. Gilani at a press conference, the Prime Minister said, “I think the American intelligence and the Americans forces have been saying and pointed out the role of LeT, the link of Lashkar-e-Taiba with al Qaeda.
“So I do not see there is any need for me to provide any additional evidence to Prime Minister Gilani about the role of LeT, Hafeez Saeed, Illais Kashmiri, Zaki-ur-Rahman, are name with regard to fanning of terrorism directed against (India).”
Composite dialogue
India has put the composite dialogue on hold since the Mumbai attacks and refused to resume it till Pakistan punishes all those behind the carnage.
At India’s initiative, the two countries held Foreign Secretary-level talks in February to discuss the issue of cross-border terrorism hurting India.
However, India has ruled out resumption of composite dialogue till it is satisfied with action Pakistan takes against perpetrators of Mumbai attacks.
Dr. Singh, who was here to attend the Nuclear Security Summit that concluded today, had two brief interactions with Pakistani Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani on the sidelines of the meet.
He was, however, evasive when asked whether he would meet Gilani in Bhutan during the SAARC Summit later this month.
To a question, Dr. Singh said “ultimately India has to tackle problem it faces own its own.”
To a question about Mr. Obama telling him that tensions between India and Pakistan should be reduced, Singh said “I believe the issues in South Asia can be resolved and should be resolved by meaningful bilateral dialogue. I do not think there is any need for a outside force to come in play.”
On whether he would meet Mr. Gilani on the sidelines of SAARC, Dr. Singh said, “I think there is still time to think about the meeting in Bhutan. When we reach there we would cross the bridge.”
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said India could resume dialogue with Pakistan on all issues if “concrete” and “effective” action is taken against those behind the Mumbai terror strikes but made it clear that there was no need for the US or any other country to get involved in the Indo-Pak affairs.
Dr. Singh made known his dissatisfaction over insufficient action by Pakistan with regard to those behind 26/11 as he said that several of the “conspirators”, including LeT chief Hafiz Saeed, were still roaming about freely.
Addressing a press conference here, he rejected Pakistan’s contention that there was not enough evidence to act against Saeed and said the proof, even that gathered by American agencies, was already in public domain and there was no need to give any more.
Dr. Singh, who conveyed to President Barack Obama India’s unhappiness over Pakistan’s attitude on dealing with terrorism and particularly named Saeed and al-Qaeda leader Ilyas Kashmiri in this regard, hoped that the points he raised would “weigh considerably” on the US government.
“Open secret”
Disagreeing that he had taken “complaint” against Pakistan to Mr. Obama, he said he had to “explain” India’s perspective, which is an “open secret”, whenever anyone asks at meetings about the bilateral relations between India and Pakistan.
“We have said more than once that Pakistan, if it takes credible steps to bring the perpetrators of the horrible crime of 26/11 to book... that’s the minimum we expect from Pakistan and if Pakistan does that, we would be very happy to talk to them and beginning talking to them once again on all our issues,” Dr. Singh said.
When pointed out that Pakistan was already prosecuting seven terrorists in connection with 26/11, the Prime Minister said there were “other people” named in the conspiracy who were “roaming about freely” in Pakistan.
“That is the reality and these are facts which are brought about, not only by our intelligence agencies, but by intelligence agencies of friendly countries. We want Pakistan to at least bring those people to book and do it effectively.”
Rebuffing Pakistan Premier Yusuf Raza Gilani for saying that Pakistan did not have enough evidence to act against LeT leaders like Saeed, Singh said, “First of all, I do not see the need for any further evidence about the role of LeT.”
Observing that he hated to “enter into an argument” with Mr. Gilani at a press conference, the Prime Minister said, “I think the American intelligence and the Americans forces have been saying and pointed out the role of LeT, the link of Lashkar-e-Taiba with al Qaeda.
“So I do not see there is any need for me to provide any additional evidence to Prime Minister Gilani about the role of LeT, Hafeez Saeed, Illais Kashmiri, Zaki-ur-Rahman, are name with regard to fanning of terrorism directed against (India).”
Composite dialogue
India has put the composite dialogue on hold since the Mumbai attacks and refused to resume it till Pakistan punishes all those behind the carnage.
At India’s initiative, the two countries held Foreign Secretary-level talks in February to discuss the issue of cross-border terrorism hurting India.
However, India has ruled out resumption of composite dialogue till it is satisfied with action Pakistan takes against perpetrators of Mumbai attacks.
Dr. Singh, who was here to attend the Nuclear Security Summit that concluded today, had two brief interactions with Pakistani Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani on the sidelines of the meet.
He was, however, evasive when asked whether he would meet Gilani in Bhutan during the SAARC Summit later this month.
To a question, Dr. Singh said “ultimately India has to tackle problem it faces own its own.”
To a question about Mr. Obama telling him that tensions between India and Pakistan should be reduced, Singh said “I believe the issues in South Asia can be resolved and should be resolved by meaningful bilateral dialogue. I do not think there is any need for a outside force to come in play.”
On whether he would meet Mr. Gilani on the sidelines of SAARC, Dr. Singh said, “I think there is still time to think about the meeting in Bhutan. When we reach there we would cross the bridge.”
