AgNoStiC MuSliM
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The first question has already been answered, and there was no cover up in Faridkot.Just try to answer 2 questions:
1. Why did Pakistan officially declare that Kasab was not a Pakistani?
2. Why the frantic cover-up at Faridkot?
The interlocutor will always be with the government in power - just like regardless of how weak coalition governments in India are, dialog has continued through that government.Problem being that it was not clear then, nor is it clear now, who is in charge. But if there is an interlocuter who is authorized by all stake-holders, then talks can proceed after minimum conditions vis-a-vis terrorism are satisfied.
At the end of the day, technicalities on any proposal are handled by the bureaucrats in various ministries, with the political leadership mainly providing overall guidelines. The backchannel discussions should have continued through and post elections given the willingness of the Pakistani side to continue and an agreement by all major stakeholders on the need to 'normalize'.
The first paragraph of yours is a different issue than your allegation I responded to - to put it even more clearly, India has not punished Kasab yet because it had to go through a lengthy process of gathering evidence and building a case that could be successfully prosecuted in court. Now India has to go through its judicial system to award punishment, and this is in a case that should be 'open and shut' given the amount of direct evidence implicating kasab in the killings.As I mentioned, discussions can restart after charges are filed against the LeT brass, and action taken against terrorist activities such as those that are going on at Masood Azhar's brother's estate.
Most of the investigation and the evidence gathering has to be done in Pakistan. Pakistan has to gather the evidence and then prosecute. Or otherwise Pakistan could let FBI, CBI or Scotland Yard investigate in Pakistan.
Pakistan on the other hand has to build a case around the 'behind the scenes' involvement of certain suspects. How does Pakistan even know these people were involved? Because India claims to have intercepts and other testimony from Kasab indicating their culpability. Indian cooperation on this count and in sharing that evidence to prove involvement in the Mumbai attacks is essential then.
On the CBI assisting in investigations, Pakistan has asked for that, India has refused.
Sincerity of effort has been demonstrated by the fact that the insurgency has been all but killed by Pakistan, and that the Mumbai attacks were a unique and isolated incident. Were Pakistan not sincere in controlling these groups, there would have been far more attacks in India by now.Hmm ... I think what is required is sincerity of effort and some level of competence in terms of enforcement. The basic problem is the double game that Pakistan is perceived to be playing. It will help if Pakistan can demonstrate that it truly has turned a new leaf. For example, Bangladesh showed the seriousness of its purpose by hanging Islamic extremists like Bangla Bhai. If Masood Azhar's brother is running a Jihadi academy under the fond gaze of the ISI, which he is, then that is a huge problem. Pakistan has not done anything yet that demonstrates seriousness against terrorists targeting India. One possibility is that Pakistan signs an extradition treaty and actually extradites some LeT people.
I called it an 'excuse' in the historical context of India backing out of negotiations on one pretext or another just when they start becoming fruitful. Were it not for that history Indian protestations would be more credible.Firstly, demands for action against terrorism is not an excuse. IMHO India is interested in moving ahead, but this is a central ingredient of the peace process.
That said, I do think that the GoP should prosecute the alleged perpetrators and indicate progress on that count as a CBM.