Chidambaram sceptical of Pakistan taking action

P. Chidambaram at Murasoli Maran's condolence meeting at Kalaignar Arangam in Chennai. Photo: Vino John. (Nov 2003) NICAID:110969627

Home Minister P. Chidambaram remained sceptical of Pakistan acting against the 26/11 accused, saying he would welcome the step only when the trial began as there were flip-flops in the past.

“When it starts, I will say it is a positive step,” he said to a question on Pakistan’s declaration that the trial would begin on October 3.

Mr. Chidambaram said a date for the trial to begin was set in the past by a Pakistan court only to be told later that the judge concerned was on leave.

“So, when it starts it is a positive step,” he told

CNN-IBN .

The Home Minister stressed that the trial must begin and Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed must be arrested, interrogated and investigated.

“All the evidence against Hafiz Saeed is on Pakistani soil. That has to be gathered.”

Mr. Chidambaram also said Pakistan had to respond to the Letters of Rogatory sent by India.

“They have to respond to our letters. There is some request pending from the FBI and the Indian agencies for certain things [for] which Pakistan has to respond.”

On Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi’s remarks that he could not take a “half-baked case to court,” Mr. Chidambaram said, “Let him bake it fully. Because the evidence is on Pakistani soil.”