views
New Delhi: Terming Pakistan's much-awaited response to the dossier of evidence on Mumbai terror attack as "positive", India today promised to get back to Islamabad with "whatever" more information it can share after examining its queries.
External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, who discussed Pakistan's response with senior ministerial colleagues P Chidambaram and A K Antony, said India is examining the report received from Islamabad.
"Pakistani authorities have admitted that elements in Pakistan were responsible for terror attacks in Mumbai," Mukherjee told reporters hours after Pakistan's response was handed over to India's High Commissioner in Islamabad Satyabrata Pal.
Mukherjee noted that Pakistan has taken "some steps" and some persons have been arrested. "This is a positive step," he said.
"They (Pakistan) have also asked for more material. We are examining it. After examination, we will share whatever we can," said the Minister who will make a detailed statement on the issue in Parliament tomorrow.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who is recuperating from bypass surgery, is understood to have been informed about the development.
The External Affairs Minister's comment came hours after Pakistan admitted that Mumbai attacks were "partially" hatched in that country and that six people have been arrested in this connection.
Mukherjee said India expects Pakistan to take "credible steps" to dismantle the infrastructure which is used by terror elements.
Commenting on Pakistan's response, Chidambaram said, "My initial response is that it is a positive development ... We are happy (that) initial response is positive."
He said the dossier that India gave to Pakistan on January 5 was "exceptionally, tightly argued document, very cogently argued document" which "nobody could have ignored" there.
Chidambaram said report received by India has a number of questions. "We will study in different departments" before coming out with further action, he said.
He refused to comment when asked if ISI or official agencies of Pakistan were involved, saying it would not be
fair to "debate at this stage".
The Ministry of External Affairs said India will follow the process of action initiated by Pakistan through the end as it is keen to ensure that perpetrators of the crime are brought to justice.
Comments
0 comment