New York:
Union Minister for External Affairs SM Krishna has spelt out India's basic position ahead of his expected talks with his Pakistani counterpart on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session.
Speaking to NDTV's Sarah Jacob, Krishna says there is no question of giving Islamabad any space for taking face-saving measures on Hafiz Saeed. He has to be brought to justice for having masterminded the Mumbai terror attacks.
Excerpts from the interview:
Q. What is your reaction? Is India satisfied with Pakistan's action putting Hafiz Saeed under house arrest?
A: There are conflicting reports. I am waiting for a fuller report about the actual situation.
Q. Sir, please explain what are the conflicting reports? What would make you satisfied?
A. I think India has always taken a very consistent position that those who were responsible for the attack on Mumbai will have to be held accountable and brought to justice. And I reiterate that position.
Q. So is this a half measure? Hafiz Saeed has been put under house arrest before only to be released... is that what you fear?
A. I know that a chargesheet has been filed against Saeed for some inflammatory remarks that he made somewhere in Pakistan, but India is interested to see how Pakistan proceeds in reference to the Mumbai terror attacks. He was the brain behind that attack so we expect Pakistan to act swiftly.
Q. So, you would not be willing to give them any space for taking face-saving measures? Since they may not be able to come out right and charge him with the Mumbai attacks?
A. When the security of India is concerned, we are not going to give Pakistan concessions.
Q. So how does this affect your meeting with the Pakistani foreign minister? Is that on hold? Is it in cold storage or will it go ahead?
A. That we will let you know.
Speaking to NDTV's Sarah Jacob, Krishna says there is no question of giving Islamabad any space for taking face-saving measures on Hafiz Saeed. He has to be brought to justice for having masterminded the Mumbai terror attacks.
Excerpts from the interview:
Q. What is your reaction? Is India satisfied with Pakistan's action putting Hafiz Saeed under house arrest?
A: There are conflicting reports. I am waiting for a fuller report about the actual situation.
Q. Sir, please explain what are the conflicting reports? What would make you satisfied?
A. I think India has always taken a very consistent position that those who were responsible for the attack on Mumbai will have to be held accountable and brought to justice. And I reiterate that position.
Q. So is this a half measure? Hafiz Saeed has been put under house arrest before only to be released... is that what you fear?
A. I know that a chargesheet has been filed against Saeed for some inflammatory remarks that he made somewhere in Pakistan, but India is interested to see how Pakistan proceeds in reference to the Mumbai terror attacks. He was the brain behind that attack so we expect Pakistan to act swiftly.
Q. So, you would not be willing to give them any space for taking face-saving measures? Since they may not be able to come out right and charge him with the Mumbai attacks?
A. When the security of India is concerned, we are not going to give Pakistan concessions.
Q. So how does this affect your meeting with the Pakistani foreign minister? Is that on hold? Is it in cold storage or will it go ahead?
A. That we will let you know.
Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world
