Act, Rice tells Pak as India talks tough

NEW DELHI: The US on Wednesday said there is need for “direct and tough action” by Islamabad against the perpetrators of the Mumbai terror attacks with India indulging in tough talk.

Reacting to Pakistani president Asif Ali Zardari's remark that the terrorists were “non-state actors”, Rice said: “The fact is non-state actors perform from the confines of the state. There has to be direct and tough action (by Islamabad).”

Earlier foreign minister Pranab Mukherjee, who held discussions with Rice, told reporters: “Our action depends on Pakistan's response. We have given a demarche and expecting a reply…the government is determined to do whatever government thinks is necessary to protect the integrity of the country and peoples right to a peaceful life.”