India said diplomacy had “prevailed” over military options, and reminded Islamabad to take “verifiable and credible action”.
Almost a week after Pakistan acknowledged the role of its citizens in the Mumbai terror attack, India said on Wednesday diplomacy had “prevailed” over military options, and reminded Islamabad to take “verifiable and credible action” against the masterminds of the carnage.
“Diplomacy has not failed,” external affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee told the Lok Sabha.
“We did not mobilise a single soldier. We did not press the panic button. We did not lay mines on the border, but we said we expected Pakistan to fulfill its commitment,” he said in response to the opposition’s criticism that the government did not do enough to pressure Pakistan.
Pranab was referring to charges of war-mongering by Pakistan and some sections in India, who advocated using the military option to punish Islamabad. His reference was apparently also to the troop mobilisation and military exercises as part of ‘Operation Parakram’ during the NDA rule after the 2001 attack on parliament.
“We were advised why can’t we retaliate like some other countries are doing. Why don’t you attack Pakistan,” Pranab said, asserting that the government believed war with Pakistan would not solve the terrorism problem.
Stressing the need for “verifiable and credible action” by Islamabad against the terrorists who ordered the Mumbai strike, he said: “We will continue to demand that.”
Ajmal flip-flop
Meanwhile, Pakistan appeared to be speaking in two voices on Mohammed Ajmal Amir, the lone terrorist captured for Mumbai mayhem, with a law officer asking India to hand him over and the foreign ministry saying no formal request had been made.
“The government of Pakistan has formally requested the Indian government to hand over the custody of Ajmal because he is the prime suspect,” deputy attorney general Sardar Mohammad Ghazi said.
However, the foreign office was quick to say no formal request had been made as yet. Pranab said: “Let me get an official request, then I will respond."
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