In a breakthrough for Indian investigators working the 26/11 terror case, the US justice department signalled on Wednesday that it would “take suitable steps” to give India quick access to Pakistani American David Coleman Headley.
The assurance came after a fresh round of discussions between solicitor general of India, Gopal Subramanium and US attorney general Eric Holder.
“The two partners agreed to take steps to bring about direct access to Indian authorities to David Headley as soon as possible,” the Indian embassy said. “The discussions have resulted in a mutual commitment that there would be the best possible cooperation in our common fight against terrorism.”
The statement was issued after a meeting on Tuesday of Subramanium along with Indian Ambassador to the US Meera Shankar with Holder and other officials from the US department of justice.
“The partnership between India and the United States recognises the high priority to be accorded to each country’s national security,” said embassy spokesman Rahul Chabra. “Both countries recognised the need for the investigations to reach a fruitful and successful outcome.”
Headley’s lawyer John Theis confirmed that India would get an opportunity to question Headley soon. “Discussions are going on between our government and the Indian government at this time. It is part of the plea agreement that Headley would cooperate with Indian authorities,” Theis told reporters.
“I would expect to be present anytime that my client is interviewed by law enforcement officials, be it from India, US or any other country,” Theis added.
The visit of the solicitor general of India follows US president Barack Obama’s assurance to prime minister Manmohan Singh, during their meeting on the sidelines of Nuclear Security Summit earlier this month, to provide New Delhi access to Headley.
Headley has confessed to helping the Lashkar-e-Taiba scout targets for the Mumbai terror attacks, in a plea-bargain deal with US prosecutors to avoid being sentenced to death.
