India must raise terror issue prominently

The two-day Home Secretary level talks between India and Pakistan are going to be held on May 24 and 25 in Islamabad. The agenda for the home secretary-level talks with Pakistan has been approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security.At the talks, the home secretaries would be discussing terrorism and are expected to sign a revised visa agreement to provide for easier travel between the two countries. Among the provisions of the revised visa agreement is the increase in the number of cities allowed to be visited, exempting elderly people from police reporting, multiple entry for business persons and group tourism. It will promote the people to people contact between the two countries. The Indian delegation, led by Home Secretary R K Singh, is expected to press for action by Pakistan to bring the Mumbai terror attack perpetrators, including JuD chief Hafiz Saeed, to justice, and speedy trial in a Pakistani court of seven 26/11 accused like Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi. The issue of Pak-sponsored terrorism is India’s main concern. Since the Mumbai attacks in 2008, India has been making demands with concrete proof to handover the mastermind of Mumbai attacks JuD boss Hafiz Sayeed, but Pakistan has always adopted the dilly dallying tactics and allowed him roaming free to spit venom against India openly. At the Home Secretary level talks, India has to raise the voice to bring the Mastermind Hafiz Sayeed and other perpetrators of Mumbai attacks to justice if they have to be of any sense. It is good that both sides try to prepare the ground for summit level talks to resolve all outstanding issues between the two. Pakistan is moving in regard to India on the strategy of thousands cuts since the military rule of General Zia-ul Haq in 1980s. Pak military and its ISI have major say in the formulation of policy to deal with India. Political leadership has always been weakened there. That is why no fruitful talks have ever been held with Pakistan. Home Secretary level talks may prove to be very successful but one thing is clear that until and unless the final approval of Pak military is given to them, no headway is possible. Hafiz Sayeed’s influence in Pakistan can be known from the fact that even when the US announced 10 mln on his head to catch him, he is freely moving in Pakistan. US has been the mentor of Pakistan since its inception. It always pumps economic package to keep it to going. Even the announcement of huge money on his head made no difference in Pakistan. Because the military backs Hafiz Sayeed and the democratic leadership is weak and shaky.