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Pranab: denials won’t take you anywhere

Pranab Mukherjee

Kolkata: “For God’s sake do not indulge in flat denials; denials do not lead us anywhere,” External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee urged Pakistan here on Sunday.

He was referring to fugitives, wanted by India in connection with terrorist attacks, taking shelter in that country.

“Instead of contradicting [this] and [coming up with] denials please cooperate. We cannot chase non-state actors in other countries,” Mr. Mukherjee said.

Pakistan should “dismantle the infrastructure [of terrorism] facilities available to them and return the Indian fugitives hiding in that country,” he said. “We have requested and are suggesting that you fulfil your commitment. We are asking for nothing more, nothing less. Every civilised nation is bound to fight against this menace [terrorism].”

The Minister was speaking on relations with Pakistan in the wake of the November 26 terror attacks in Mumbai at two separate meetings in the city.

Mr. Mukherjee said “evidences clearly indicated” that the acts of the terrorist captured during the November 26 attacks in Mumbai were controlled “from the other side [of the India-Pakistan border].”

“They [those the terrorist in question was in contact with] were monitoring Indian television. This type of information we have.”

“We can only deal with the government of the day…arguments coming from the other side [Pakistan] are not convincing,” Mr. Mukherjee remarked. “The non-state actors involved in the [Mumbai] attacks do not come from heaven or from another planet. They operate from somewhere. It is the responsibility of the incumbent government of that country to deal with them,” he added.

“I have never used the word Pakistan government; I have deliberately said that there are some elements in Pakistan [against whom there is clear evidence of involvement in terror attacks in India],” Mr Mukherjee said.

Speaking of the commitments given by “the former President Musharraf and the present President that Pakistan territory will not be allowed to be used by terrorists,” he said, “Not once, twice or thrice but at least 10 times we are saying ‘please pursue evidences and take action.’ There are some fugitives who have taken shelter there; please arrest them and hand them over to us.” “It is most unfortunate and sinister when somebody tries to link Islam with terrorism,” Mr. Mukherjee added.