Pak has not kept any of its promises on 26/11, says Chidu

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.” [caption id=“attachment_146343” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“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.”] [/caption] 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 24x7, 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.”