New Delhi, May 28: Terming Pakistan as “epicentre of terrorism” India on Friday asked US for announcement of security cooperation that will entail pre-emptive steps and effective response to terror incidents. Launching the Homeland Security Dialogue, India and the US vowed to defeat the forces of terrorism through a series of steps like intelligence sharing and pressed Pakistan to move expeditiously in prosecuting those involved in Mumbai attacks.
During the day-long meeting, Home Minister P Chidambaram and his US counterpart Janet Napolitino discussed the Mumbai attacks case and ways to enhance bilateral cooperation through agency-to-agency engagement, information sharing, forensics and investigation. They agreed to designated points of contact and establish protocols for engagement.
“In a world of complex challenges, including new and emerging forms of threats, terrorism remains a principal challenge for our two countries,” Chidambaram said in his opening remarks setting the tone for the discussions.
Talking in the context of Mumbai attacks, Napolitino promised to share comprehensively with India the information related to the terror incident. Napolitino equated Lashkar-e-Tayyeba, responsible for 26/11, with Al Qaeda but was evasive when pointed out that LeT founder Hafiz Saeed was roaming freely in Pakistan and even offered prayers for Osama bin Laden after his killing.
“I think in my judgement, the LeT ranks right up there in the Al Qaeda and related groups as terrorist organisations, one that seeks to harm people and takes innocent lives,” she said at a joint Press conference with Chidambaram.
To a question, she pointed out that the US had given India “full access” to David Coleman Headley, the US-based LeT operative who played a key role in the Mumbai attacks. “I think when the case is over, there will probably be more access given,” the US Homeland Security Secretary said without elaborating.
However, she ducked questions on whether she agreed with India’s conviction that Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI was involved in plotting the Mumbai attacks and if the US would lean on Islamabad to end terror directed against India.
“(US) Secretary of State (Hillary Clinton) is today in Pakistan and has already commented on it,” she said.
The two sides outlined a series of steps to be taken to enhance cooperation in Homeland Security. Among the six initiatives both the countries are going to take include global supply chain transportation covering ports, borders and coastal security; mega city policing and sharing of information; illicit finance, smuggling of cash, financial fraud and counterfeiting, cyber security and infrastructure protection; capacity building and technology upgradation and modernisation.
Indian Home Secretary and US Deputy Secretary for Homeland Security will meet after six months to review the progress and the Ministerial meeting will take place every year.
–Agencies–