Little help from America, Centre weighs options

Defence Minister A K Antony has made it clear that India needs “more than solidarity” from the Americans in the aftermath of the Mumbai terror attacks...

Defence Minister A K Antony has made it clear that India needs “more than solidarity” from the Americans in the aftermath of the Mumbai terror attacks even as Washington has conveyed to New Delhi that it does not have any evidence that implicates the Pakistani Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI) in 26/11.

Responding to visiting Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Admiral Mike Mullen’s, explanation that he had come to India to offer “solidarity”, Antony made it clear that New Delhi knew that the ISI was behind the Mumbai terror attack carried by LeT jehadis. However, Mullen, after listening to Antony, said his Government had no evidence to corroborate the Indian claim that the ISI was behind the strike. Meeting Antony on Thursday, Mullen did not even say that the terrorists were Pakistani citizens. Admiral Mullen accompanied US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice as part of the American mission to ask both India and Pakistan to exercise restraint and was not on invitation of the Indian Government.

While New Delhi knows that the Americans, through the FBI team which visited Mumbai and interrogated the only surviving attacker Ameer Kasab, knows that Pakistanis are behind the attack, they do not want their mission to stabilise Afghanistan be jeopardised as Islamabad is threatening to move troops from the Durand Line to the Radcliffe Line. Thus, it is now up to New Delhi to take caliberated steps to pressurise Pakistan to act against LeT and its leaders. One of the first steps contemplated is to restore the duties on Pakistani cement imports. Commerce Minister Kamal Nath’s proposal to put a ban on bilateral trade has been put aside by PM Manmohan Singh.

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Even though New Delhi wants the Americans to push the Pakistanis into action, it is wary of Israel’s offer of help. Tel Aviv has communicated to the highest levels that it would do anything to support India in its fight against terrorism emanating from the Pakistan-Afghanistan arc. But as of now New Delhi is exploring all options and also waiting for the Assembly elections in Kashmir to get over. Defence Ministry has issued no alert to the Armed Forces nor has it ordered any flexing of muscles on the Indo-Pakistan border.

On the diplomatic front, New Delhi has recalled its heads of mission for a two-day meeting on December 20-22 in order to brief them about the Mumbai attack and the Pakistani involvement so that through them the evidence is relayed to important friends and allies worldwide.

Railway authorities promptly took action, shifting passengers to other coaches and quickly extinguishing the fire.

Fire noticed in coach of Amritsar–Saharsa Garib Rath Express, no casualties reported

India1 hr ago

A fire broke out in a coach of Amritsar–Saharsa Garib Rath Express at Sirhind Station in Punjab, but no casualties were reported. Railway officials quickly took action, shifting passengers to other coaches and extinguishing the fire. The train will depart to its destination shortly. The incident occurred at 07:30 hrs and is currently being investigated.

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