Pranab continues to talk tough on Pak

Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee continued to talk tough on Pakistan government’s failure to cooperate India in its fight against terror. The Minister on Monday said that Pakistan must fulfil its commitments as a responsible nation of the international community.

Speaking ahead of the Indian envoy meet in the national capital, Mukherkee said: ‘No responsible nation can escape its commitment and India wants Pakistan to do whatever it has committed.

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Answering a question on possible military strike, he said: ‘If there will be any military conflict nobody declares it in media. But to bring the perpetrators of Mumbai carnage to book, India has not closed any options.’

Earlier in a statement Mukherjee said: ‘One of the terrorists who have been captured alive has given us a chilling account of his handlers. A few months earlier the Indian Embassy in Kabul was the target of a terrorist attack. The impunity with which these attacks are carried out is possible only because of the safety the handlers have been assured.’

Speaking at another function in Kolkata on Sunday Mukherjee questioned Pakistan’s approach subsequent to Mumbai terror attacks. He reiterated India’s strong stand by saying that enough evidence has been given to Pak and it must act now. Mukherjee was addressing a press conference at the Bengal Chamber of Commerce.

Mukherjee said that mere talk is not enough; Islamabad should cooperate with India taking concrete steps against terrorists operating from Pakistan's soil and not contradict us. “Not once, twice or thrice but as many as ten times we have given evidence. Please pursue those evidences and take action as per your law," he added.

Referring to the long pending demand of handling Indian fugitive hiding in Pakistan, the Minister said: "Some of the fugitives have taken shelter there. Please arrest them. Those who are Indian citizens, hand them over to us. Those who are required for investigations may be your citizens, also hand over them to us".

He also criticised Pakistan government’s contradictory statements on Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Maulana Masood Azhar by saying that sometimes it is said that Azhar is not visible. Some times it is said that he is not available in Pakistan, if he is not available then how he can be, and it has to be stated by Pakistan's permanent representative in UN Security Council that action will be taken against him.