Talks open on positive note
Punishment To 26/11 Brain Not A ‘Sticking Point’ Between India, Pak
Vishwa Mohan \TNN
New Delhi: Punishment to perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks is New Delhi’s priority, but the issue does not seem to be a “sticking point” between India and Pakistan. The sense emerged on Day I of the two-day home secretarylevel talks on Monday when almost all pending issues relating to security were discussed between the two neighbours amid indications that both sides may come out with some “promises” to move forward in a joint statement on Tuesday.
Expectedly, home secretary Gopal K Pillai forcefully raised the 26/11 incident, pointing out to the “slow pace of trial and investigation” in the case in Pakistan despite having all material evidence on its soil. Pillai’s counterpart, Choudhary Qamar Zaman, however, took refuge in law of the land stating that the investigators are doing their job but have to follow procedure and produce concrete evidence before the courts.
Zaman, too, tried to corner India, asking specific questions on the Samjhauta Express blast, referring to accused Swami Aseemanand’s reported confession that said it was the handiwork of Hindu radicals. He was, however, politely and firmly told by Pillai that National Investigation Agency (NIA) is probing the case, and details of it would “certainly be shared with Pakistan once the agency files its charge sheet”.
Later, both of them termed the ongoing talks as positive. “Talks are extremely positive. Progress made in right direction,” Pillai said at the end of the first day. Zaman, who is leading a 12-member delegation, also said talks were “very positive”. He said, “Since, we have another day for the talks, I am not going into the specifics at the moment. But I can tell you with good amount of certainty that both the sides displayed a very positive attitude…it has been a result-oriented meeting and I am really confident about tomorrow’s proceedings also”.
Asked whether the Indian stand on 26/ 11 would amount to dilution of the matter, an official privy to the talks said, “the issue was raised as priority, but certainly it was not a ‘sticking point’ as such a direction/message we got after what happened on the sidelines of the SAARC ministerial conference in Thimphu in February.”
He added, “Had it been the sticking point, we would not have at the first place decided to resume home secretary-level talks, suspended after 26\11. The message was certainly to move on, keeping an eye on development over the issue of bringing the perpetrators of Mumbai terror attack to justice.” Government sources do not rule out the possibility of getting another “message” from the sidelines of the cricket semifinal in Mohali, where PMs of both countries will meet on Wednesday.
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Punishment To 26/11 Brain Not A ‘Sticking Point’ Between India, Pak
Vishwa Mohan \TNN
New Delhi: Punishment to perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks is New Delhi’s priority, but the issue does not seem to be a “sticking point” between India and Pakistan. The sense emerged on Day I of the two-day home secretarylevel talks on Monday when almost all pending issues relating to security were discussed between the two neighbours amid indications that both sides may come out with some “promises” to move forward in a joint statement on Tuesday.
Expectedly, home secretary Gopal K Pillai forcefully raised the 26/11 incident, pointing out to the “slow pace of trial and investigation” in the case in Pakistan despite having all material evidence on its soil. Pillai’s counterpart, Choudhary Qamar Zaman, however, took refuge in law of the land stating that the investigators are doing their job but have to follow procedure and produce concrete evidence before the courts.
Zaman, too, tried to corner India, asking specific questions on the Samjhauta Express blast, referring to accused Swami Aseemanand’s reported confession that said it was the handiwork of Hindu radicals. He was, however, politely and firmly told by Pillai that National Investigation Agency (NIA) is probing the case, and details of it would “certainly be shared with Pakistan once the agency files its charge sheet”.
Later, both of them termed the ongoing talks as positive. “Talks are extremely positive. Progress made in right direction,” Pillai said at the end of the first day. Zaman, who is leading a 12-member delegation, also said talks were “very positive”. He said, “Since, we have another day for the talks, I am not going into the specifics at the moment. But I can tell you with good amount of certainty that both the sides displayed a very positive attitude…it has been a result-oriented meeting and I am really confident about tomorrow’s proceedings also”.
Asked whether the Indian stand on 26/ 11 would amount to dilution of the matter, an official privy to the talks said, “the issue was raised as priority, but certainly it was not a ‘sticking point’ as such a direction/message we got after what happened on the sidelines of the SAARC ministerial conference in Thimphu in February.”
He added, “Had it been the sticking point, we would not have at the first place decided to resume home secretary-level talks, suspended after 26\11. The message was certainly to move on, keeping an eye on development over the issue of bringing the perpetrators of Mumbai terror attack to justice.” Government sources do not rule out the possibility of getting another “message” from the sidelines of the cricket semifinal in Mohali, where PMs of both countries will meet on Wednesday.
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JTS8yMDExLzAzLzI5I0FyMDE0MDA=&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom
