Giving away nothing, Pakistan and India on Friday hoped against hope to become friends and enjoy trust when Union home minister P. Chidambaram met his Pakistani counterpart, Mr Rehman Malik, here on Friday.
Mr Rehman Malik personally received Mr Chidambaram at Chakala airbase and he was given a special guard of honour in Islamabad. “During the meeting, mutual matters were discussed by both leaders. The meeting was held in a very cordial and friendly atmosphere,” state media reported.
Mr Chidambaram is understood to have pressed for concrete action against LeT founder and JuD chief Hafiz Mohammad Saeed, who India says masterminded the Mumbai carnage.
“Rehman Malik asked them (Mr Chidambaram) to stop interfering in Balochistan while they made demands for handing over of Hafiz Mohammad Saeed and strict action against the Pakistanis being tried in Pakistan for their role in the Mumbai attacks,” a senior Pakistan interior ministry official told this newspaper after the meeting. “The meeting was positive but the discussion, as always, was routine. They denied interference in Balochistan and our interior minister said we are not doing anything in India,” the official said. “The Indian side wants access to the Mumbai accused but Rehman Malik has clearly refused it. He has told them that the independent judiciary here will do justice with them,” said the official.
[Mr Chidambaram is also believed to have pressed for urgent action against the handlers of the 26/11 attackers, including those who are believed to be in the Pakistan Army, PTI reports from Islamabad. The meeting between Mr Chidambaram, the first Indian home minister to visit Pakistan in three decades, and Mr Malik went on well beyond the scheduled 45 minutes. Mr Chidambaram is also believed to have sought voice samples of the Pakistani handlers and raised issues like infiltration. Later, Mr Chidambaram met Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi.
[Mr Malik said his talks with Mr Chidambaram were “inconclusive” and that they would meet again over dinner, PTI reports. They held one-on-one talks for over an hour after which the delegations joined them. “It is a very good moment and good beginning. It was a good discussion and it sends out a good message to the people of both Pakistan and India,” Mr Malik told reporters, adding, “There should an exchange of hearts rather than dossiers.” Mr Chidambaram is believed to have told Mr Malik that the time has come for Pakistan to address issues concerning the deadly Mumbai attacks with the seriousness that they warrant.]
Mr Chidambaram and Mr Malik discussed the new dossier of evidence related to the November 2008 Mumbai attacks provided by the Indian government. A Pakistan government official said the issue of Kashmir and alleged Pakistan backing for the militants was also discussed. “Rehman Malik contradicted the allegation and said Pakistan wants peace with all its neighbours,” he said.
[Earlier, speaking to reporters accompanying him in the special aircraft, Mr Chidambaram said he will not say anything that will cast a shadow on the Saarc Home Ministers’ Meeting, PTI reports. “I will use the opportunity to bring home to Pakistan the gravity of the issues and the need for a response that is appropriate to the gravity of the situation,” he said. “It has been 18 months since I took over. The time has come to address these issues (regarding Mumbai attacks) with the seriousness that they warrant. That is what I am going to tell them politely, but firmly,” Mr Chidambaram said. Asked whether he would raise the issue of Hafiz Saeed, Mr Chidambaram said: “Hafiz Saeed is one among them. There are controllers, there are handlers, so we need to know what action they will take against them. These matters cannot be ignored for ever. Somebody has to address these issues sometime or the other.”]