Pak rejects role of state agencies in 26/11 attacks

Pakistan foreign secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani expresses willingness for a joint investigation into the carnage

PTI | July 5, 2012



India on Thursday made it clear to Pakistan that bringing those guilty in the 2008 Mumbai attacks to justice is the biggest confidence building measure that Islamabad could do.

After two days of parleys, Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai and his Pakistani counterpart Jalil Abbas Jilani agreed that the relationship has to be normalised by narrowing divergences and building convergences.

"The Foreign Secretaries are mandated to discuss among other things peace and security, including CBMs. It is in this context that Foreign Secretary Jilani and I discussed all issues that impact peace and security between our two countries, including terrorism.

"I emphasised terrorism is the biggest threat to peace and security in the region and bringing the guilty to justice in Mumbai terror attacks would be the biggest confidence building measure of all," Mathai told a joint press conference here.

Jilani, on his part, rejected the role of state agencies in the Mumbai attacks and even expressed willingness for a joint investigations into the 26/11 carnage in which 166 people were killed.

However, Mathai emphasised that the arrest of LeT terrorist Abu Jundal and his ongoing interrogation has added urgency to bringing perpetrators of 26/11 to justice.

"We reject any insinuation against any state agencies of Pakistan in any terror attack in India...Pakistan is even willing for a joint investigation into Mumbai attacks," Jilani said.

He said his talks with Mathai on peace and security, CBMs, Jammu and Kashmir and promotion of friendly exchanges have been substantive. "Both the countries face threat of terrorism. We should intensify our cooperation," he said.

Both sides described the talks as "frank, constructive and substantive".

In the joint statement issued after the talks, both the sides said the Foreign Secretaries will meet again in Islamabad, on a date to be decided through diplomatic channels, to prepare for the meeting of the Foreign Ministers in September.

"The talks were held in a frank and constructive atmosphere. Both sides reiterated their desire to carry forward the dialogue process in a purposeful and result- oriented manner," it said.

The two countries also pitched for a constructive dialogue to promote greater trust and mutual understanding.

On the ongoing implementation of the already adopted Nuclear and Conventional CBMs, both the sides decided that separate meetings of the Expert Level Groups on Nuclear and Conventional CBMs will be held.

This meetings will discuss the implementation and strengthening of the existing CBMs and suggest additional mutually acceptable steps that could build greater trust and confidence between the two countries, thereby contributing to peace and security.

"The Foreign Secretaries had a comprehensive exchange of views on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir and agreed to continue discussions in a purposeful and forward looking manner with the view to finding a peaceful solution by narrowing divergences and building convergences," it said.

Comments

 

Other News

Who checks the books?

I read about the news about the Coimbatore library over coffee this morning. On the face of it, the headline was about a political ‘war’ between the DMK and TVK. But what stayed with me was something much more important than the blame game behind what had transpired. A writer walking through

Development paradox: Falling poverty miracle and an inequality problem

India’s reduction in poverty over the past decade is a development achievement of considerable significance. The World Bank’s April 2026 ‘India Development Update’ estimates that the share of Indians living below the international extreme-poverty line of $3.00 per person per day i

In Arunachal, a river we call mother

In Arunachal Pradesh, the Siang is not just a river. For many of us, especially the Adi people, it is part of our family. Our grandparents fished in it. Children learned to swim in it. Our farms drink from it. When someone says a huge dam will be built on it, we do not hear the word "project".

A new retelling of the Mahabharata delves into key moments

In a time when every decision carries consequences and questions of ambition, power, loyalty, identity and moral choice continue to shape our lives, Dr. Arun Krishnan’s new book, ‘Mahakshana’ (Penguin India) offers a strikingly relevant retelling of the Mahabharata.  

Cabinet approves viability gap funding to develop grid-scale energy storage systems

The Union Cabinet, chaired by PM Narendra Modi, has approved the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) Scheme for Development of Grid-Scale Energy Storage Systems, with a total financial support of Rs.14,500 crore for the period FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31. The scheme aims to support the development o

Cabinet creates a pathway to absorb Agniveers in Defence Forces

An objective assessment in terms of organisational requirements and operational efficiency has brought out the outstanding performance of Agniveers in terms of skills, motivation levels, physical fitness and technological prowess. As envisaged earlier, based on merit, 25% of Agniveers will be offered reg

Upcoming Conferences



-->

Archives

Current Issue

Opinion

Facebook Twitter Google Plus Linkedin Subscribe Newsletter

Twitter