Foreign secretary to raise ISI-LeT links at month-end talks

NEW DELHI: India will raise the issue of nexus between the Inter-Service Intelligence and perpetrators of 26/11 terror attacks during the next foreign secretary-level talks to be held in Islamabad later this month.

New Delhi, which had expressed disappointment over the acquittal of Tahawwur Rana of the charge of plotting to execute the Mumbai terror assault, by a US District Court, saw a ray of hope in Rana being found guilty of having close links with the Lashkar-e-Taiba, and has been pressing for a deeper probe into the relations between ISI and the conspirators behind the 26/11 strike.

External Affairs Minister SM Krishna, however, ruled out India's intervention in Rana's case, observing that India could not interfere in the legal process of another country. "As far as India is concerned, we have very important evidence, assessments and statements on oath that makes a world of difference.

Rana has appeared in a court in Chicago on his own. He has mentioned about the nexus between Pakistan government's ISI and the perpetrators of Mumbai attack," Krishna told newspersons in New Delhi on Monday.

India would take this up with Pakistan as well as revelations that there were rogue elements in Pakistan administration. "When the two foreign secretaries (of India and Pakistan ) meet, all issues of bilateral nature will be taken up. This (Rana's confessions) is also going to be one of the important issues and we will be taking it up," Krishna asserted.

Asked if India would request the US to file an appeal in a higher court against the clean chit to Rana by a Chicago court in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, he replied in the negative.

"The Indian government doesn't believe in interfering in any internal legal process of another country. So, whatever has happened in the court in Chicago that will take its own course," Krishna said.