Jammu: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will not mince words and clearly convey India's concern on terrorism and the need to book the perpetrators of 26/11 Mumbai attacks when he meets Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari in Delhi on Sunday, Union Minister Farooq Abdullah said on Saturday.
Abdullah said it is vital to bring to book those responsible for the terror attacks including Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) founder Hafiz Saeed, who is the kingpin of the audacious attack on the western metropolis which claimed 166 lives.
"I think the Prime Minister will be very clear. Prime Minster is not one of those who will mince any words. I am sure the Prime Minister within that atmosphere of cordiality will put the Indian point of view before President Zardari and I am sure President Zardari will respond to the Prime Minister when he meets.
"And I hope that the meeting is held with the idea of taking India-Pakistan friendship forward," Abdullah said when he was asked if India should press for action against the LeT chief.
Abdullah also said that the $10 million bounty announced by the United States on Saeed is not aimed at killing him, but to bring him to book.
"Already America wants a trial to be held. I think the bounty that has been put on him is actually to bring him to the count, not to eliminate him. And I think India has already very clearly given the proof to Pakistan and to the world of his involvement in 26/11 that has taken place in Mumbai.
"I think what is vital for these people who are responsible for those unfortunate deaths that took place and the destruction that took place in Mumbai should be brought to book and we believe that the kingpin of all that has been Hafiz Saeed," the Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy said.
Farooq welcomed Zardari on his visit to India.
"He is going to Ajmer. We hope that his prayers there would be accepted by Khwaja Gharib Nawaz. We hope that peace will prevail in India and Pakistan. Our confidence building measures like cross-LoC trade and travel should be further strengthened," the minister said.
Asked about Kashmiri separatist Ghulam Nabi Fai and his links in Jammu and Kashmir, Farooq alleged that, "there are people who have been paid by Fai throughout their life. Fai has been their pay master".
He further said, "do you know that Fai has been an operative in America, so there is nothing new about it, those people (from Jammu and Kashmir) who are writing for his release must have gained somehow".
Meanwhile, Farooq's son and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that talks on "ongoing issues" between the two countries should be taken up during Zardari's meet with the Prime Minister.
"I think we ourselves harm the system when we expect that one meeting is going to solve everything. The talks (between India and Pakistan) should continue, that is our biggest expectation. The talks should take place in a positive environment.
"Some ongoing issues should be taken forward. Cross-LoC buses and trade should be strengthened. We should also talk to Pakistan about cross-border infiltration that we still get reports about from time to time," Omar said.
Comments
0 comment