New Delhi, November 25
Three years after the Mumbai attack, the victims of the carnage plotted in Pakistan wait for justice even as Delhi and Islamabad push forward their peace process to normalise ties.
Indian officials acknowledge that Pakistan has done precious little to bring to book the perpetrators of the attack who continue to roam about freely in the neighbouring country, enjoying the official patronage.
But at the same time, the feeling in official circles is that India has no choice but to pursue the path of peace with Pakistan in its own larger interest.
“Pakistan is on the brink…should we also go the same way,” a senior
official wondered when asked why India was holding talks with Pakistan despite its inaction in taking the 26/11 investigation to its logical conclusion.
The official referred to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s vision that India could not emerge as a global economic power until it was at peace with its neighbours, particularly Pakistan.
Not everyone agrees with New Delhi’s policy, particularly in the strategic community. According to former Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan G Parthasarthy, India was unfortunately willing to forget and forgive Pakistan for the 26/11 attacks. “We should make it clear that we will neither forget nor forgive those in Pakistan responsible for the attacks.”
He was of the view that the focus of the resumed dialogue between the two countries should also be on the issue of
terrorism.
There are many even in the corridors of power who question the government’s decision to resume the dialogue with Pakistan after a hiatus of over two years following the Mumbai mayhem, but none would like to go on record.
In the past few weeks, Pakistan has sought to demonstrate that it wanted to have a peaceful relationship with India by releasing within hours an Indian helicopter that strayed into Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) and agreeing to grant the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to India. However, there has been virtually no progress in the trial of seven suspects in a Lahore court for their involvement in the Mumbai attack. To give an impression to New Delhi that it was sincere in expediting their trial, Pakistan will now be sending a judicial commission to Mumbai to record the testimony required for the prosecution of the 26/11 suspects. It is quite obvious to New Delhi that the civilian regime in Pakistan is fragile and the all-powerful army continues to call the shots, particularly on relations with India. It is also clear here that the Pakistan Army would not do anything to contain the terrorist groups operating against India from the country’s soil since they are considered a strategic asset.
The disclosures made by David Coleman Headley during his testimony have thrown sufficient light on the role of Pakistan's ISI handler Major Iqbal and other non-commissioned officers of Pakistan’s notorious intelligence agency in training and conditioning him for espionage.
