Home minister P. Chidambaram’s visit to Pakistan is expected to set the tone for New Delhi’s engagement with Islamabad for the next four years of the UPA-II government.
Coming as the first ministerial visit from India to Pakistan after 26/11, the home minister will keenly analyse Pakistan’s attitude and seriousness towards dismantling the terror infrastructure in that country, top government sources said here.
Mr Chidambaram, who is returning to the Capital on June 27, is expected to brief Prime Minister Manmohan Singh soon after his return.
“The home minister’s visit to Pakistan is significant since his final remarks on his return to New Delhi will influence how India will engage with Pakistan in the next few years,” an official said. The official said that Pakistan is aware of the changes brought in by Mr Chidambaram to strengthen India’s internal security since he took over as home minister following the 26/11 episode.
“In that context, Pakistan will try hard to convince Mr Chidambaram, who is a hard task master, about its seriousness in counter-terrorism efforts. But it is for the home minister to analyse whether Pakistan is really serious. His observation and feedback to the government will make a huge difference,”the official said.
Hectic consultations were held in the home ministry prior to Mr Chidambaram’s visit to Islamabad to prepare for issues likely to be discussed during the home minister’s bilateral meeting with Pakistan interior minister Rehman Malik at the sidelines of the Saarc interior minister’s conference.