Islamabad:
Home Minister P Chidambaram and Pakistan's Interior Minister Rehman Malik addressed a joint press conference on Saturday evening after a two hour long meeting where India made it clear that intentions are fine, but it is the outcome that matters.
"We are not questioning the intentions, but the outcome is important as it is the outcomes that will decide the intent," said Chidambaram.
Chidambaram also made it clear that India wants more action on terrorism, to which Pakistan replied that it is doing its best.
"India wants rigorous investigation and follow-up of the leads given to Pakistan in connection with Mumbai attacks, and all masterminds and handlers of 26/11 should be brought to justice...Terrorists should not have free run in Pakistan or in India," Chidambaram said.
Malik on his part said that security agencies such as India's CBI and Pakistan's FIA should work together on the issue of terrorism, including the Mumbai attacks case.
"We know that seven people (are being) prosecuted in the case. How far the prosecution has proceeded, it is for the Pakistani government to tell...We think that more people were behind the attacks and more people should be prosecuted. That point has been made to the Pakistani government and as I said, I wish to remain positive on the outcome of the meeting with Rehman Malik," Chidambaram had said earlier in the day. (
Read: Believe more people are behind 26/11, says Chidambaram |
Setback in 26/11 case - Pak court adjourns trial for a week)
Chidambaram's visit to Pakistan - the first by an Indian Home Ministerin three decades - is symbolic of the new breakthrough in ties betweenIndia and Pakistan after Prime Ministers of the two nations met inThimpu.
Chidambaram is in Pakistan for the SAARC forum, and the agenda is to apprehend and prosecute or extradite persons connected, directly or indirectly with terrorism.
Rehman Malik tweeted after his meeting with Chidambaram, "found Mr. Chidambaram a very intelligent & capable leader and shared thoughts of friendship in the meeting."
But the bonhomie apart, Malik held his ground. "No act of terrorism will be allowed from Pakistan to be replicated like Bombay or anywhere else...We have taken action against terrorism and if there is any more information, we will take further action," he said.
If this wasn't enough indication, India's plea for reigning in key 26/11 conspirator Hafiz Sayeed, if not prosecuting him for the Mumbai attacks, was also deftly deflected. (
Read: Pak should act against Saeed, says Chidambaram)
In about 15 days from now, the Foreign Ministers of the two countries will meet, and India is keenly waiting and watching for Pakistan to come up with something substantial on the terror front. Anything less than that would perhaps prove to be biggest stumbling block for better relation between the two countries.
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