Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Pakistan’s admission

The editorial “A welcome development” (Feb. 14) is well-articulated and insightful. Pakistan’s admission, after weeks of denial, that part of the planning for the Mumbai terrorist attack was done there is indeed a pleasant u-turn. India has reacted saying it is a “positive development” with the fond hope that Pakistan will unravel the truth behind the murky plot, and bring all those responsible to justice. From its point of view, it is more important that Pakistan dismantle the terrorist infrastructure on its soil.

R. Sampath,

Chennai

As the editorial has rightly pointed out, “the time has come to recalibrate bilateral relations.” To start with, New Delhi should convince Pakistan that a crackdown on the terrorist outfits on its soil is in the interest of both countries, rather than talk about sensitive issues such as the role of the ISI and other state actors in encouraging terrorism against India. The democratic forces in Pakistan have clearly shown an inclination towards addressing India’s concerns. They need all the understanding and support they can get to deactivate the powerful anti-India elements in their country.

K. Vijayakumar,

Bangalore

The concluding line of the editorial says it all. For the first time after coming to power, the democratic forces in Pakistan have taken a bold step towards acknowledging a fundamental truth, apparently overriding the philosophies of the ISI and the military. It is a welcome development and it is imperative that India avoid making any remarks that could jeopardise the developing rapport between the two countries.

V. Chandrashekar,

Chennai

Pakistan’s admission is only the first step. The investigations into the Mumbai attack have a long way to go and, at every step, we need the same kind of cooperation.

Nilesh Raje,

Mumbai

New Delhi should respond to Islamabad’s questions in a forthright manner. But there are other issues that demand equal attention. While admitting that the 26/11 attack was partially planned on its soil, Pakistan has exculpated official agencies such as the ISI and the Pakistan army. Also, the fact that Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives are among those taken into custody by Pakistan despite a ban on the outfit is a matter of concern. India’s ultimate goal should be to make Pakistan dismantle the terror networks on its soil.

Nikhil Tuli,

Ambala

Pakistan’s admission that the Mumbai attack was partially planned on its soil, after dilly-dallying for two-and-a-half months, is indeed welcome. As a more mature democracy, India should respond responsibly and wisely. It should not say or do anything that will tarnish its image as a peace-loving country in the eyes of the international community.

A. Saratchandran Menon,

Chennai

It was not because of India’s diplomatic campaign that Pakistan finally admitted to its role in the 26/11 attack.

It was because of the arm-twisting by the United States and the other countries whose citizens were killed in the attack that Pakistan finally relented.

P.R. Mahesh Kumar,

Chennai

Despite the relentless diplomatic pressure India and other nations exerted on Pakistan to get to the bottom of the conspiracy leading to the Mumbai terror attack and bring the conspirators to justice, Pakistan did everything to derail the investigation. In this context, Pakistan’s 30 questions to India, some of which refer to possible local involvement in the attack, are hardly surprising.

At a crucial time when the whole nation was required to stand firm in its resolve to eradicate terrorism from our neighbour’s stated policy, some of our politicians unfortunately played into its hands.

Capt. T. Raju, (retd.),

Secunderabad

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