Terrorism expected to be key issue in run-up to Indo-Pak foreign minister level talks

Finding common ground in efforts to tackle terrorism is expected to be a key issue in the run-up to the meeting of the foreign ministers of India and Pakistan next month despite the positive outcome of the foreign secretary-level talks, diplomatic sources said today.

During talks between foreign secretary Nirupama Rao and her Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashir yesterday, the Indian side raised a number of terrorism-related issues, including the trial of Pakistani suspects linked to the 2008 Mumbai attacks, a spike in infiltrations across the Line of Control and activities of groups like the Lashker-e-Taiba and its front Jamaat-ud-Dawah.

At her joint news conference with Bashir, Rao made it clear India's "core concerns on terrorism" were articulated during the talks and that both countries "must deny terrorist elements any opportunity to derail the process of improvement of relations".

Sources said that the Indian side made it clear during the talks that the trial in Pakistan of seven terror suspects linked to the Mumbai attacks, including LeT operations commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, should proceed and "justice should be done".

This, the Indian side said, is necessary because public opinion in India is still "agitated" over the carnage in the financial hub.

The Indian side also referred to an increase in numbers of militants sneaking across the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir and a spike in ceasefire violations alongfrontiers in the Himalayan state, describing them as developments that went against trust-building, the sources said.
   
While the Indian side acknowledged the dangers faced by Pakistan due to the presence of a "terrorism-infested environment", it informed the Pakistani officials that their drive against militant and terrorist groups should have a "non-segmented approach".

In other words, the Pakistani side could not ignore banned groups like the LeT while targeting the Taliban and their allies, the sources said.

India also stressed on the need to rein in LeT founder and JuD chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, whose "virulently anti-India rhetoric" is not conducive to efforts to build peace, the sources said.
   
Though the Pakistani side maintained its stand that it did not have enough evidence to act against Saeed, an Indian source said: "They have to find the means to stop the propaganda at least."
   
The JuD has stepped up its anti-India campaign in recent months, particularly on the emotive issue of sharing of river waters.

Saeed made a rare public emergence to lead a rally days ahead of a meeting of the Foreign Secretaries of India and Pakistan in February and he made a repeat performance by heading a protest in Lahore ahead of yesterday's meeting.
   
Though foreign secretary Bashir said during his news conference with Rao yesterday that all elements of the Pakistan government and "system" were one in taking forward relations with India, observers have questioned whether any effort by the civilian government to crack down on groups like the LeT would be backed by the powerful military.
   
Though officially banned, the LeT continues to have offices across Punjab province where it also recruits youths.
   
The LeT, which was raised with the backing of the army and intelligence agencies to wage a jehad in Jammu and Kashmir, is also believed to still have linkages with the security establishment.