India briefs envoys of select nations on attack, says Pak responsible

NEW DELHI: Trying to kill two birds with one stone, India told envoys of select countries that Pakistan was responsible for the terror attacks in Mumbai that killed many of their citizens. The envoys of US, UK, Canada, Israel, Italy, France, Germany, Singapore and Japan were all called in by the MEA on Tuesday and subjected to a briefing by special secretary Vivek Katju.

The briefing, which was described by some as "regular", was intended to build solidarity among countries that had lost their people in the attack. In a statement, the MEA said, "Heads of mission from these countries were present in the briefing. They were also informed of details of the terrorist attack and the investigation so far."

The MEA did not give the envoys any startling new information but reiterated a lot of things that are already known.

This is reminiscent of 1999, when India woud brief countries on the progress of the war and on Pakistan's complicity in the aggression. The aim is similar now.

India essentially wants to build a band of "convinced" countries, who would be used to pressure Pakistan to act against the terrorist groups.

But this apart, reactions have been very half-hearted as India tries to keep everyone happy -- the UPA doesn't want to upset the civilian government in Pakistan and simultaneously doesn't want to anger the west by forcing a military response. These constraints are dragging the Indian response to the worst-ever terror attack on this country down to a mere formality.