Author: Sanjeev Srivastava
Publication: Firstpost.com
Date: December 2, 2011
URL: http://www.firstpost.com/world/pak-has-not-kept-any-of-its-promises-on-2611-says-chidu-146295.html
Home Minister P Chidambaram has charged Pakistan
with not delivering on any of its promises made about bringing the perpetrators
of 26/11 to justice.
In an exclusive interview to Doordarshan conducted
by this writer, the home minister listed the still-to-be-honoured specific
promises made to him by the interior minister of Pakistan.
"I was promised that we will be provided
with the voice samples of those who were directing the 26/11 carnage in Mumbai
from Pakistan. That promise has not been kept. I was promised that Islamabad
will act and arrest the seven persons whose names were handed over by us in
connection with the Mumbai attack. The list included the names of ISI handlers
like Major Iqbal and Sajeed Mir but no action has been taken so far. The trial
in Pakistan is yet to start. The judge has been changed four to five times."
The home minister said reports about facilities
provided to terrorists and India-baiters like Hafiz Sayeed of the Jamait ud-Dawa
(JuD) and Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi only confirm India's concerns and underscores
the continued need for remaining extremely vigilant.
"Pakistan's attitude towards elements
like Hafiz Sayeed and Lakhvi is there for all to see. Not just we but even
their friends and supporters in the international community now know the truth
and it does affect their credibility.
"They (terrorists and those spewing venom
against India) are treated with such kindness, generosity and indulgence.
What does it say about their (Pakistan's) judicial and justice delivery system?"
However, when asked whether state actors still
remain involved in anti-India terror operations and whether there were signs
of the terror infrastructure diminishing across the border, Chidambaram said
that post 26/11 there is a realisation in Pakistan that they will have to
pay a heavy price if their involvement in a Mumbai kind of carnage is found
again.
"So it does seem that overt support to
terror has diminished. But I cannot say the same thing about covert support,"
he said.
Chidambaram sought to play down the good-cop-bad-cop
bit played by different sections of the Indian establishment vis-à-vis
Pakistan when asked about how in comparison to his ministry, the prime minister
and the foreign affairs ministry came across as so much more keen on engagement
with Islamabad.
"It's not that we speak in different
voices. On issues like liberalisation of visa regime, exchange of prisoners
and fishermen detained on both sides and cross border trade even I think we
must not only move forward but maybe India should even move the extra mile.
"But on terror related issues I don't
think we can do anything but remain firm and make sure that Pakistan delivers."
While supporting the India-Pakistan peace
process and the ongoing dialogue process ("tell me if no talks can ever
be a solution?") Chidambaram, however, ruled out any imminent possibility
of a meeting with his Pakistani counterpart, Rehman Malik.
"There is a regular exchange at the ministry
level. Only last month we were told again that their judicial commission would
soon be coming. We have been hearing that for the last six months. They are
very welcome. But Pakistan has to do more on terror and 26/11 related issues
before we can move forward."
Chidambaram also said there was need to remain
vigilant vis-à-vis China as well especially in the north-east.
"We have to remain vigilant about China's
moves on Arunachal Pradesh. For some militant groups active in Arunachal Pradesh,
there are sanctuaries in Yuan province of China. Chinese arms are also smuggled
into India via the Myanmar-China border. The Chinese do add a twist to the
challenges we face on the internal security front."
On the threat posed by Naxals, the home minister
said more Indians get killed by Maoists than by terrorists. In November alone
30 people were killed by Naxals. Twenty-seven of those killed were ordinary
people and villagers who were described by Maoists as police informers.
"Who has given the Maoists the right
to identify and describe anyone as police informers and kill them. They believe
in destroying the parliamentary democracy system and while some of them as
individuals could be well meaning and pro-poor but as a group the Maoists
are more anti-poor than the worse capitalists."
However, he reiterated the offer he made earlier
this week to Maoists to abjure violence and come for talks. "If they
(the Maoists) shun arms we can start a dialogue with them within three days."
Chidambaram refused to take any questions
other than those relating to the home ministry but did hint once again about
how he would not mind moving out of the high pressure job of a home minister.
Asked if he finds the home ministry job stressful,
Chidambaram said he is not stressed and restless on a personal level. "But
it is a 24×7, 365-day job! I can never keep my mobile switched off.
That's why I say - sometimes jokingly even - that maybe the home ministry
should be given to a younger person."
