Chidambaram and Pak envoy in exchange of words

New Delhi, Mar 12 (PTI) Home Minister P Chidambaram and
Pakistan High Commissioner Shahid Malik were engaged in an
unusual exchange of words on Friday with the minister stating
that all militant outfits across the border are supported by
Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the envoy rebutting any
involvement of state actors in terror acts against India.
Chidambaram, who chose not to make any mention of
Pakistan in his opening remarks at the India on Friday
conclave here, voiced New Delhi's concerns over
Pakistan-sponsored terrorism during the question and answer
session.
"It is no secret that every militant organisation in
Pakistan is support by the ISI," he said while taking the
names of Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad and some other
groups operating in that country.
In a bid to counter the charge, the Pakistan envoy
raised the issue of alleged Indian involvement in Balochistan
and about the activities of Indian consultates in Afghanistan.
Islamabad has alleged that the Indian consulates were stirring
up trouble for Pakistan, a charge denied by India.
"There are no state actors involved in any act
detrimental to the interests of India," he said.
Chidambaram said he had hoped not to enter into a public
debate with the envoy who was only stating his government's
position but wanted to put their assertion to test.
He said Pakistan should give voice samples of the list
suspects given by India to match them with the voice
transcripts of the 26/11 handlers in a neutral country to
know whether they are state actors.
Chidambaram was asked how India would respond if there
was another terror attack on the lines of 26/11.
He said if it was established with a reasonable degree
of certainty that the attacks orginated from Pakistani soil,
"then we will respond swiftly and decisively".
The Minister made it clear that "war is not an option"
so the two countries, both nuclear powers, "must talk when
we can" and, at other times, "we have to be vigilant".
"We cannot change our neighbour", he said adding
Pakistan has been a "very difficult neighbour from 1947".
He indicated that there may be another around of talks
between Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao and her Pakistani
counterpart Salman Bashir. There is speculation that this may
take place later this month.
Malik contended that it was Rao who had telephone the
Pakistan Foreign Secretary for talks. "We hoped something
positive will come out of it and we welcomed the opportunity".
India said terrorism will be one of the main agenda
and the Pakistani side said it too had its own concerns and
willing to discuss it.
"We repeatedly asked India to share with us real time
information on terrorism," he said in an apparent reference
to Pakistan's claim that the 10 dossiers provided by India
contained only "literature" and nothing concrete for them to
act upon.
Responding to a questioner who objected to the term
'jehadi terrorism', Chidambaram said Hafiz Sayeed, the 26/11
mastermind as also LeT and JuD leaders have been repeatedly
talking about 'jehad' to justify their acts of terror. PTI VMN
SKT