Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has denied that India constantly complains to the United States about indiscretions by Pakistan, particularly with regard to cross-border terrorism, and argued that such concerns are expressed only when New Delhi is egged on to resume its dialogue with Islamabad.
Asked why India doesn't use its own leverage to straighten things out with Pakistan, instead of incessantly complaining to the US, Dr Singh protested, "There is no question of our taking our complaints against any country to any other forum."
He acknowledged, "Ultimately, India has to tackle problems it faces on its own. But international sentiment and international opinion does matter, and if anyone asks me how the bilateral relationship between India and Pakistan is working out, I explain our perspective, which is an open secret."
Dr Singh added, "I have said more than once that Pakistan, if it takes credible steps to bring the perpetrators of the horrible crime of 26/11 to book, that's the minimum that we expect from Pakistan."
"And, if Pakistan does that," he added, "we will be very happy to begin talking once again about all of our issues."
When asked if his forceful expression of Pakistan-inspired terrorism against India and Islamabad's laxity in bring the Mumbai terror conspirators to justice in his bilateral meeting with Obama would yield any tangible results besides lip-service, particularly when the US seems to be constrained to rein in Pakistan because it needs the latter for the war in Afghanistan, Dr Singh said, "I hope what I said to the President will weigh considerably with the administration."
"But I am not an astrologer. I cannot predict what may be the final shape of things to come," he said.
When queried on whether the US President, during their interaction, had provided any suggestions on alleviating the situation in the subcontinent, Dr Singh replied, "I believe the issues in South Asia can be resolved and should be resolved by meaningful bilateral dialogue."
"I don't feel there is a role for any outside force to come into the picture," he emphasised.
Dr Singh bristled when informed that Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani had said he was waiting for specific evidence from India about the Lashkar-e-Tayiba. "First of all, I don't see there is any need for any further evidence about the role of the Lashkar-e-Tayiba. I would hate to enter into an argument with him in a press conference," he shot back.
"But I think the American intelligence and the American forces have themselves pointed out the role of Lashkar-e-Tayiba -- the links of the Lashkar-e-Tayiba with the Al Qaeda," he said.
"So I don't see there is any need for me to provide any additional evidence to Prime Minister Gilani about the role the Lashkar-e-Tayiba and Hafiz Saeed, Ilyas Kashmiri, or Zaki-ur-Rahman are playing with regard to fanning terrorist acts directed against India," he said.
When it was pointed out that Pakistan was already trying seven accused for the Mumbai terror attacks and has also prosecuted some others, Dr Singh shot back, "We all know that there are other people who are named as part of the conspiratory persons. They are roaming around freely."
"That's the reality," the prime minister said, and reiterated, "These are facts which are borne out not by our investigation and by our intelligence, but by intelligence of friendly, foreign countries."
Meanwhile, with regard to gaining direct access to Pakistani-American and Lashkar operative David Coleman Headley, Dr Singh said he had raised this issue with Obama "and he did mention to me that he is aware of the legal position and that we will get access to David Headley."
Video: Paresh Gandhi
