Supreme Court order on Kasab boosts India's case ahead of PM, Asif Ali Zardari meet

Tehran: With the Supreme Court on Wednesday upholding the death sentence on the Pakistani terrorist Ajmal Kasab, India's case for action against others involved in the Mumbai terror attacks got strengthened ahead of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari in Tehran today.

The two leaders will meet on the sidelines of the Non-Aligned Movement Summit in Tehran shortly after Mr Zardari flies across from Islamabad. The scheduling problems for their second meeting since the Pakistani leader came to Delhi in April, have been resolved and they will meet at 7 pm.

Terror remains high on the agenda and India's continuing concerns over lack of action against those in Pakistan believed to have been actively involved in 2008 Mumbai attacks will be flagged by Dr Singh.

External Affairs Minister SM Krishna, who is also in Tehran for the NAM meeting, lost no time in drawing attention of the top court's verdict on Kasab.

"I am sure Pakistan will not fail to take note of it," Mr Krishna said and quickly added that the Pakistani judiciary is also proactive.

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"The Supreme Court is the highest court of appeal in India and when it announces something it becomes law of the land. Other things will follow," he said.

Indian officials pointed out that India had convicted some of those involved in the Mumbai attacks through the same set of evidence which was provided to Islamabad in a trial which was not a 'show trial'.

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Meanwhile, Pakistan voiced disappointment that the issue of inflammatory messages and videos and India's accusation that they were generated across the border, was highlighted in the media rather than being conveyed through official channels to it.

Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said 'more maturity' was needed to handle such issues, and such suspicions can directly be discussed between officials of the two governments.

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"I think we need to find a more mature way to be able to handle all these issues, and they will continue to emerge," said Ms Khar.

"In my opinion, every time, it is disappointing (when) something reaches Pakistan through the media, because we believe we have been able to invest in this relationship enough to get a call from any government official, if any such concern, suspicion arises. Indian media needs to really become more positive," she told the media.