Saeed's release disturbing: India
India conveys its "disappointment" to Pak over release of JuD chief.
By ET Bureau |
NEW DELHI: India has officially conveyed to Pakistan its "disappointment" over the release of Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief Hafiz Mohammad Saeed who is viewed here as a part of the terror infrastructure in that country.
Foreign secretary Shivshankar Menon conveyed India's strong views on the matter to Pakistani high commissioner Shahid Malik during a meeting on Wednesday. "We conveyed our disappointment on the release of Hafiz Saeed and we made it clear what we thought of it," said Mr Menon.
It is understood that Mr Malik told Mr Menon that his government was studying the order and held out the possibility that it would look at legal options. This comes in the backdrop of reports that Islamabad might not appeal the court verdict. Mr Malik also could not confirm whether the government would appeal the judgment in a higher court.
At the same time, Pakistan's high commissioner, who had sought the meeting with the foreign secretary on Monday, also reiterated Islamabad's request for translated copies of the court documents that were in Marathi and were part of the third terror dossier. New Delhi has said it is getting the documents translated and would hand those over to Pakistan.
However, India is furious with the latest developments in Pakistan with external affairs minister S M Krishna calling the release of the JuD chief "disturbing". Saying India is closely monitoring the developments, Mr Krishna said that India wanted to normalise ties with Pakistan.
The release of Saeed has also strengthened the assessment that ISI, Pakistan's rogue spy agency, continues to have links with the Lashkar-e-Taiba, which was founded by Saeed. The Pakistani establishment has for long sponsored terror activities against India.
Meanwhile, India will continue its diplomatic efforts to put pressure on Pakistan at the UN and other multilateral and bilateral forums.
Reacting to the release of Saeed, India had said that it showed Pakistan's lack of seriousness to fight terror and bringing the perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks to book. At the same time, this has further strengthened New Delhi���s position that it will judge Islamabad through its action and not through words or promises.
Foreign secretary Shivshankar Menon conveyed India's strong views on the matter to Pakistani high commissioner Shahid Malik during a meeting on Wednesday. "We conveyed our disappointment on the release of Hafiz Saeed and we made it clear what we thought of it," said Mr Menon.
It is understood that Mr Malik told Mr Menon that his government was studying the order and held out the possibility that it would look at legal options. This comes in the backdrop of reports that Islamabad might not appeal the court verdict. Mr Malik also could not confirm whether the government would appeal the judgment in a higher court.
At the same time, Pakistan's high commissioner, who had sought the meeting with the foreign secretary on Monday, also reiterated Islamabad's request for translated copies of the court documents that were in Marathi and were part of the third terror dossier. New Delhi has said it is getting the documents translated and would hand those over to Pakistan.
However, India is furious with the latest developments in Pakistan with external affairs minister S M Krishna calling the release of the JuD chief "disturbing". Saying India is closely monitoring the developments, Mr Krishna said that India wanted to normalise ties with Pakistan.
The release of Saeed has also strengthened the assessment that ISI, Pakistan's rogue spy agency, continues to have links with the Lashkar-e-Taiba, which was founded by Saeed. The Pakistani establishment has for long sponsored terror activities against India.
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Even though terror elements have now started targeting Pakistan, New Delhi believes that ISI support to the LeT, which is responsible for the Mumbai terror attacks, continues. It is further believed that Pakistan���s actions against the Tehrik-e-Taliban has not changed ground realities in Pakistan as far as India is concerned. Meanwhile, India will continue its diplomatic efforts to put pressure on Pakistan at the UN and other multilateral and bilateral forums.
Reacting to the release of Saeed, India had said that it showed Pakistan's lack of seriousness to fight terror and bringing the perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks to book. At the same time, this has further strengthened New Delhi���s position that it will judge Islamabad through its action and not through words or promises.
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