Q1. India has termed encouraging Islamabad’s response to Mumbai terror attack dossier. Do you think Pakistan is doing enough to cooperate with New Delhi in Mumbai attacks? How do you respond to Islamabad’s reply? What do you expect consequently from Pakistan?

Ans: Pakistani authorities have admitted that elements in Pakistan were involved in the terrorist attacks on Mumbai. They have arrested some persons and filed an FIR. This is a positive first step. Pakistan has also sought further information and material relating to the investigation. We will share whatever we can with Pakistan. However, the process should not be allowed to become an end in itself. We expect Pakistan to act against the perpetrators of the Mumbai attack on the basis of evidence shared with her. The wider issue is dismantling the infrastructure of terrorism in Pakistan. Several questions arise in the aftermath of the Mumbai attacks. How did an already banned terrorist group (LeT alias JUD) carry out such an attack? Why did it have the latitude to do so? Are there other such groups? It is for the Government of Pakistan to answer these questions and act on them.

In general, I would like to reaffirm that this issue should not be looked through the prism of India-Pakistan relations. Terrorism is a global issue. It affects not only India, but the entire world. Terrorists have no ideology or religion. Terrorism is the biggest threat to world peace and security in the post-Cold War era. It needs to be countered firmly by the entire international community.

Q2. India for long has been calling on Pakistan to close terror camps in the country. You have also called on for Islamabad to deliver on its commitment to prevent terrorism directed at India from its territory. But your government says this belief has not lead to any tangible results so far. Where and how do you see India’s relations going with Pakistan?

Ans: Pakistan had committed to us on 6th January 2004 and on 24th September 2008, at the highest level, that it would not permit territory under its control to be used for terrorism in any manner. Our Composite Dialogue process, started in 2004, was premised on this commitment. Clearly Pakistan has not kept its word. The Composite Dialogue process with Pakistan has been paused. No meeting has taken place and neither are any scheduled. Substantial gains, made during the last four or five years, in normalizing our relations, are at risk. Future progress in our bilateral relations depends on Pakistan’s response not only in words but also through substantive actions.

Q3: Your Army Chief, the National Security Advisor, and most importantly even the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, have said that Pakistan’s official agencies –ISI and other state actors were linked up in the Mumbai terror attacks. Do you think Pakistan must take actions against these state actors? What do you mean when you say that the case must be brought to a ‘logical conclusion’?

Ans: For us “logical conclusion” means perpetrators of terrorist acts are brought to book. Terror network and infrastructure should be dismantled completely to prevent the repetition of attacks in future. Fugitives from Indian law who are in Pakistan should be handed over. I need not repeat what has been said earlier. Surely terrorist groups cannot be allowed to flourish while we are given ‘solemn’ commitments against terrorism.

Q4: When India’s Kabul embassy was attacked, New Delhi affirmed having sufficient evidence against ISI’s involvement in the commencement of hostilities carried out by Taliban. Do you really think Pakistan establishment is in a position to crack down against ISI or any of their state actors, who may have been involved against such attacks directed at India? What is your assessment?

Ans: After the attack on our Embassy in Kabul, the Pakistan Prime Minister promised to the Prime Minister of India that he would have an independent investigation conducted into the attack. To date we have not received any response from Pakistan. I have been saying that I am not unaware of the internal complexities of Pakistan. But we cannot bear the brunt of their internal situation. It is the sovereign duty of that Government to act against those on its territory who commit terrorist acts elsewhere. That responsibility cannot be wished away. Full Text