Journalism of Courage
The US has refrained from drawing a parallel between 9/11 and the 26/11 Mumbai attack and also declined to commit if India had the right to go on a hot pursuit against terror suspects in Pakistan like the American strike that killed Osama bin Laden.
Instead,asked if the US policy of right to self defence applies to other countries,including India,State Department spokesman Mark Toner said the attack on bin Ladens home was clearly unique in the history of the US and the history of the world.
I dont want to speculate too broadly about an operation that was clearly unique in the history of the US and the history of the world,where we had an individual who was possibly the most wanted man in the world and had perpetrated heinous crimes against not only American citizens but citizens around the globe… I dont want to draw too broadly a picture here.
Toner said he was aware of the attacks in India,including the assault on Indian Parliament and the 26/11 strike,and underlined that the USs counterterrorism cooperation both with India and Pakistan was directed at terrorist elements.
While the Congress party downplayed this distinction made by the US between 9/11 and 26/11 attacks and its apparent unwillingness to back any hot pursuit by India,the BJP attacked the Obama administration for judging the two attacks differently.
Said former Minister for External Affairs and senior BJP leader Yashwant Sinha: This distinction is unacceptable to us as Indian lives are as precious as US lives. India has been at the receiving end of terrorism for over two decades. India cannot be denied rights that US has,including that of surgical strikes.
The Congress,however,clarified: We are not bound in any manner by the view of any other country in the matters of our security. That is their opinion. Our actions are premised on our own decisions and our independent policy. It is quite possible our independent policy can tally with any other country,but it will be our decision.
Sinha cautioned the government on being prepared for the consequences of such an attack. Time has come to realise that dialogue will not lead to results and it is action which will, he said.
