Terrorism and Pakistan’s inaction against the perpetrators of the 26/11 terror attacks topped the agenda of Home Minister P. Chidambaram’s four-day visit to the United States starting September 7. He told the US that the threat of cross-border terrorism from Pakistan remained undiminished and conveyed India’s frustration over Islamabad’s reluctance to act against the key perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks. In meetings with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and other top functionaries of the Obama Administration, he pointed out that despite a mass of evidence provided by India in six dossiers, Pakistan has allowed the mastermind of the 26/11 Hafiz Saeed, to roam freely.
“Besides calling on Hillary Clinton, Chidambaram had wide - ranging talks with his counterpart, Janet Napolitano, National Security Adviser James Jones, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and others.”
Besides calling on Hillary Clinton, Chidambaram had wide - ranging talks with his counterpart, Janet Napolitano, National Security Adviser James Jones, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and others. He briefed them about the steps being taken by India to deal with terrorism and gave update on the prosecution of the Mumbai attack accused. He discussed with the Treasury Secretary the issue of money-laundering and India’s membership of the inter-governmental Financial Action Task Force [FATF] to combat the problem. The US has already promised its support to India on this score.
The Home Minister also visited New York, the US financial capital, which is on the terror radar and is protected by security agencies from terrorist attacks. Chidambaram who arrived in New York on Sept. 9, was briefed by officials from the FBI, intelligence and security agencies and the New York police about the measures being taken by them to prevent any Mumbai-type terrorist attacks. He was given an exclusive briefing by the New York Police Department on the steps being taken by them to protect the city.
The Home Minister went to Washington armed with fresh evidence against the Pakistan-based terrorist outfit LeT with the gunning down of LeT operative Abu Jindal by the Jammu and Kashmir Police on Friday. He was involved in the 26/11 attack conspiracy. Kasab has named Jindal and spoken about his role in the Mumbai attack during his trial.
Talking to newsmen after talks with Ms Clinton on Sept. 11, Chidambaram said he briefed her on the state of the trial of Ajmal Kasab and also mentioned about no progress in Pakistan even in respect of the five people they have arrested while Hafiz Saeed remains a free man. He said, the US understands the way India has approached the post-26/11 situation and how Pakistan has approached the situation. He said India has already shared its six dossiers on the subject with many countries, including the US. Voicing his concern over the spike in infiltration of militants across Pakistan, he pointedly stated: “Threat emanating from militants operating on Pakistani soil has not diminished. The number of infiltrations is now running at 50 to 60 a month”.
He said, the purpose of his visit was not to conclude any new agreement. There is already a joint working group on counter terrorism. His intention, he said, was to establish a working relationship and speed up the work and deepen engagement. He said he sought closer cooperation in sharing intelligence and improving the skills of scientists, technicians and investigators.
