India to raise 26/11 probe status with Pakistan

Just a week ahead of the meeting between Foreign Secretaries of India and Pakistan, Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Friday said issues relating to the probe into 26/11 attacks will be taken up during the parleys.

Noting that the “specific issues” to be taken up during the discussions were being finalised by the Indian side, he said the ministry would like “pending issues” concerning the 26/11 case and investigation also to be part of it.

Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao will be meeting her Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashir here on February 25 with India making it clear that terror will be on top of its agenda.

Seeking access to Headley

In an interaction with women journalists, the Home Minister also said his ministry would go through the legal process to seek access to Pakistani-American LeT operative David Headley, now lodged in a Chicago jail.

Asked if FBI was holding back some crucial information from the Indian government as was being suggested by some reports, Mr. Chidambaram said, “Well, I don’t know. All I can say is FBI has shared vital information. If they are holding back any information, there is no way my knowing that they are holding back any information.

“And as far as access to Headley is concerned. Our position remains the same that we will go through legal process to seek access to David headley.”

Mr. Chidambaram also indicated that he would be attending the SAARC home ministers' meeting in Islamabad.

“If and when it is held, the present position of the government is that we are attending,” he said.

The meeting scheduled this month was postponed at Nepal's request.