The US could do more to pressure Pakistan

Union home secretary GK Pillai’s comment — that the US did not share enough information on Lashkar-e-Taiba operative David Headley — need not be seen as striking a jarring note ahead of US president Barack Obama’s visit to India. Rather, it underlines India’s continuing concerns about Pakistan’s involvement in terrorist attacks on this country. It serves as a reminder to the US that India is still suffering at the hands of its ally.

New information has emerged, provided by two of Headley’s three wives, that could have been useful to India before the November 26, 2008, attacks on Mumbai. Had India been informed that Headley was in India in March  2009, he could have been apprehended. However, after Headley was taken into FBI custody, India has been given access to him and his inputs on ISI and LeT
involvement have been invaluable.

The problem for the US is the suspicion that Headley may well have been a double or triple agent. The US war against the Soviets in Afghanistan evidently led to the growth of several hydra-headed monsters which are now running out of control across the world. But their entrails are coiled deep into very uncomfortable areas.

Apart from all the other potential gains to be made from Obama’s visit, India has the opportunity to push for more effective US pressure on Pakistan. We have often heard the argument that Pakistan is also a victim of terrorism. Sadly for Pakistan, many are
now biting the hand that once fed them. But it does not detract from the fact that terrorists based in Pakistan have the tacit or active support of the establishment — especially the army and the ISI — in attacking India. While more and more US officials have been forced to acknowledge this, actual action on the ground has been limited.

It is also necessary to convince Obama to force Pakistan to start its legal proceedings on the 26/11 accused in its own country. For now, we have made our point. The ball now lies in the US’s court.