This Article is From Apr 28, 2010
Exclusive: Interview with India's Solicitor General
Washington: India will get direct access to 26/11 conspirator David Headley soon, that's what America's Attorney General Eric Holder has told India's Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium at a meeting they had in Washington. Speaking exclusively to NDTV after having met Eric Holder, Gopal Subramanium said the purpose of his visit had been achieved.
Here is the full interview:
NDTV: You know the Indian legal system like the back of your hand but you are here to get a crash course in the American legal system, to find out how India can get access to Headley through legal means. Under these circumstances, since he has entered a plea bargain with the US, what are India's options?
Ans. We have discussed this with our American counterparts and we are all going to tackle this within the paradigm of the law. I think that we respect each other's legal systems. In the matter of shared cooperation obviously we are going to respect our mutual legal systems, but apart from that, the most important point is that there is a great amount of clarity, goodwill and respect and the way forward will shortly be in place.
NDTV: The fact that you met Eric Holder, the Attorney General of the United States, does that mean America is taking India's concerns and sensitivities seriously?
Ans. I have absolutely no doubt that the US government is extremely conscious and is viewing us as a partner in this common effort to deal with difficult terrorist attacks. We view this as a shared effort. We are very grateful to Eric Holder that he was able to see our point of view very clearly. I think that it is a very good, positive sign that has emerged.
NDTV: The US Ambassador to India Timothy J Roemer has given India his assurance that the US will provide support at the highest levels. Is that also the understanding that you have gotten from your two-day trip here?
Ans. Let me say one thing that nobody has attempted to renege from his or her word. On the contrary, we are delighted that all concerns have been mutually discussed and clarified. The entire purpose of the visit has been achieved. We have been able to move forward.
We certainly plan to respect the legal processes. I do hope that this signals the beginning of an era of continued cooperation where information is going to be shared, where inputs are going to have to be shared by different countries, which have common threads and common avenues of danger against national security.
The entire exercise, the attitude, the positivism with which we have had our discussions leads me to believe that everyone is going to do their best to ensure that the truth is unraveled and that investigations will reach a logical end.
NDTV: So what happens now ... when do Indian authorities actually get to meet Headley and question him?
Ans. I have answered enough of your questions. Leave some unanswered.