BJP accuses govt of 'flip-flop' over access to Headley issue

BJP today ridiculed the government for claiming that India would have access to Mumbai terror attacks accused David Coleman Headley, saying the US ambassador's statement that no decision had been taken on the issue shows the UPA has done a "flip-flop".

"There has been flip flop by the Indian government. Earlier, we heard that an Indian team was ready at the airport to go to US to meet Headley. Now US is saying there is no such offer," BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said.

Though India had earlier claimed it had been assured by the US authorities of access to Headley, US ambassador Timothy Roemer said, "No decision on direct access for India to David
Headley has been made."

The main opposition demanded the government should clarify what steps it was taking for extradition of Headley and also how it was handling Pakistan's attempt to sign a civil nuclear deal with US similar to the one between India and the US.

Javadekar even raked up the issue of the foreign secretary-level talks between India and Pakistan.

"Pakistan is now putting conditions on the second FS-level talks. This is a serious matter. India had made the unilateral offer of talks under foreign pressure," Javadekar said.

He claimed the first FS-level talks had not discussed terrorism and confined itself only to Indus water and other issues.