Pakistan, which had denied knowledge of Osama bin Laden’s whereabouts, had a lot to explain following his killing by the US special forces in Abbottabad, near Islamabad, external affairs minister S.M. Krishna said.
“I think Pakistan has a lot to explain on that score,” Mr Krishna told journalists in Kuala Lumpur, after signing the fifth joint commission agreement with his Malaysian counterpart Anifah Aman.
Mr Krishna, who was visiting Malaysia on a three-day official visit, was replying to a question about constant Pakistani claims that it was not aware of the whereabouts of Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden.
Earlier, speaking in an interview to the Star newspaper of Malaysia, Mr Krishna said India was committed to resolving all outstanding issues with Pakistan through bilateral dialogue, in an environment free from terrorism and violence. “We are cautiously optimistic about the dialogue that we have recently embarked upon with Pakistan. However, we must keep in mind that we are dealing with complex issues and should not have unrealistic expectations,” he noted.
Meanwhile, claiming that India’s approach towards Pakistan in the wake of Osama’s killing encompasses a broad spectrum of issues, the ruling Congress on Tuesday was of the view that the question should be left to the mandarins of the central government and security establishments.
“On such a issue no answer could be given in 45 minutes,” AICC spokesperson Manish Tewari said.
Mr Tewari, however, said, on the issue of providing protection to terrorists and their outfits, the fact as its stands is Laden was neutralised very deep inside Pakistan, which the establishment in that country cannot detract.
The main Opposition BJP took a more hawkish stand on the issue, claiming that it has been “our belief that strong action be taken against terrorists. This is the wish of all Indians too”.
Rejecting the BJP’s proposition, a senior Congress functionary said, “No doubt circumstances are there for India to have more leverage in its dealings with Pakistan. But emulating the US approach may prove to be counterproductive, as it requires capacity to deliver results.”
However, another senior BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said, “Action against terrorists and their hideouts in Pakistan can only be taken if the government shows nationalistic political will.” The time has come when either Pakistan destroys the “factories of terrorism” on its soil, otherwise India should act decisively in its national interest, he added.