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India to engage Gulf nations actively

NEW DELHI: India will have increased engagements with the Gulf countries in the coming days to step up pressure on Pakistan to dismantle the terror infrastructure and bring the masterminds of the Mumbai terror attacks to justice.

The first engagement will take place on Friday with Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal on his arrival and the second is scheduled for January 6 with the visiting United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdallah bin Zayid al-Nahyan.

Both countries have some leverage due to their generous funding to Pakistan, which even includes subsidised oil. The visits of their Foreign Ministers were sought by both the countries, which have severely condemned the Mumbai terror attacks. In fact, concerned over the prospect of a military clash, Saudi Arabia had sought a visit of its Minister a fortnight ago. However, an angry New Delhi was reluctant that time. It, however, welcomed the visit of Foreign Minister of Oman Yusuf Bin Alawai bin Abdullah a week ago.

Saudi Arabia and the UAE, during their interaction with the top Indian leadership, would want to know what they could do to resolve the tension between India and Pakistan. India is expected to counter that there are sections within the Pakistan government, including the armed forces and the ISI which are involved with the jihadi elements. Also, jihadi institutions are not amorphous and have a full-fledged infrastructure.

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