In the wake of home ministerial talks, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday pinned “some hope” on developing peaceful ties with Pakistan but made it clear that while moving to develop trust, India would “verify” how anti-India terror groups are dealt with.
Reflecting a guarded approach of his government, Dr Singh said only time will tell how events would unfold in the context of relations with Pakistan.
“The home minister (P. Chidambaram) was in Pakistan last week. You must have read what he has stated. I think there is some hope,” Dr Singh told reporters accompanying him on his way back home after attending the G-20 Summit in Toronto.
Prime Minister was replying to a question that while he was working hard on making peace with Pakistan, how India proposes to go ahead in case of another 26/11 type attack.
Mr Chidambaram held talks with his Pakistani counterpart Rehman Malik in Islamabad on June 25 and pressed for “visible” outcome in its action against terrorism directed against India and ensuring punishment to all those behind the Mumbai attacks. Mr Chidambaram specifically mentioned JuD chief Hafiz Saeed, two Army majors and some others involved in 26/11, against whom India wants urgent action.
“As I have said in dealing with Pakistan our attitude has to be — trust — trust but verify. So only time will tell which way the animal will turn,” Dr Singh said.
Dr Singh had on Monday pressed US President Barack Obama to convince Pakistan to take strong action against terrorists involved in anti-India activities in that country following disclosures made by LeT operative David Headley.
Dr Singh, who met Mr Obama on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit, briefed him about the peace initiatives with Pakistan but made it clear that Islamabad should abide by its commitment of not to allow terrorism emanating from its soil directed against India.
The activities of Headley came up for discussion in the light of information coming out of Pakistani-American LeT operative after his interrogation by Indian investigators.
Mr Chidambaram had last week met his Pakistani counterpart Rehman Malik and pressed for prosecution of more people involved in the 26/11 attacks. —PTI
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‘Warren not discussed’
June 29: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, speaking on board Air India, said he did not discuss with US President Barack Obama the extradition of former Union Carbide chief Warren Anderson. But he hoped the US would take a positive attitude towards the extradition of Mr Andersen. On fixing responsibility for the gas tragedy, Dr Singh said there were no records that reflect who took the decision providing safe-passage to Mr Warren Anderson.
He also stated that the ministerial group headed by home minister P. Chidambaram has already announced a road map on further compensation for the Bhopal gas victims and filing of a curative petition.
US NSA to visit India
June 29: US national security adviser Gen. (retd.) James Jones will arrive in New Delhi in July to chalk out the agenda for President Barack Obama’s maiden visit to India in November this year.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Gen. (retd.) James James will meet his Indian counterpart Shivshankar Menon in the second week of July and they would chalk out the agenda for Mr Obama’s visit.
—PTI