The two sides are understood to have discussed the issue of terrorism that continues to emanate from Pakistan and threatening India as well as many other parts of the world.
Amid attempts by US authorities to protect David Headley from the gallows after his move to plead guilty, US director of national intelligence Dennis Blair met home minister P Chidambaram on Thursday, offering greater coordination against terrorism.
Blair was accompanied by US ambassador Timothy Roemer. The interaction with Chidambaram comes before the latter’s Britain visit starting March 20 and is being seen as a prelude to the strengthening of Indo-US-UK cooperation in fighting terrorism.
Blair also met Intelligence Bureau director Rajiv Mathur and they are understood to have discussed terrorism emanating from Pakistan.
Blair addressed India’s concern over its efforts to extradite Headley, a Lashkar-e-Taiba operative accused of planning the
26/11 attacks, in the event of him being given mild punishment.
A government source said that in the face of stringent US laws protecting its citizens (Headley is an American citizen), Indian authorities will build up their case for getting access to Headley after his conviction.
But the chances of his extradition are bleak. This was reflected by the mood prevailing in the higher echelons of the government. The feeling is that once convicted and sentenced to 30-40 years imprisonment, it would be difficult under US law to get him extradited.
Significantly, Indian agencies handling the 26/11 investigations are undecided on whether to file a charge sheet against Headley. This is a prerequisite for starting extradition proceedings. “On what grounds will we file the charge sheet? Merely being on a reconnaissance mission or taking photographs cannot be the basis of a charge sheet,” a senior official said.
For more incriminating material against Headley, India sought access to his US-based wife for questioning. The authorities are moving on the premise that Headley’s wife was privy to his Mumbai attack plans.
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