The Indian government has requested Pakistan’s Interior Minister Rehman Malik to cancel his upcoming trip to New Delhi, the Press Trust of India reported on Monday. The visit, aimed at finalising details of the landmark Pakistan-India visa agreement, was scheduled on November 22-23.
Though Islamabad’s alleged failure to punish the perpetrators of the November 2008 Mumbai attacks appears to be the key reason, New Delhi has cited the coming winter session of parliament as the reason for its inability to host Malik this week as Indian Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde is expected to be busy.
Sources said since the fourth anniversary of the Mumbai attacks coincides with Malik’s proposed visit, Indian home ministry officials seem to have advised against hosting the Pakistani minister.
New Delhi accuses Malik of reneging on his promises to act against the perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks.
According to sources, New Delhi has expressed reservations on the pace of trial against Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi and six co-accused at a Rawalpindi court.
Moreover, New Delhi’s request to handover LeT founder Hafiz Saeed, considered by India to be the mastermind of the Mumbai attacks, continues to widen the fissure.
“Under such a situation, it is not prudent to host the Pakistani interior minister on the eve of the fourth anniversary of 26/11 attack,” sources said.
The message was conveyed to Islamabad through diplomatic channels. India has not yet suggested new dates for Malik’s visit.
Malik had conveyed his willingness to visit New Delhi in a meeting with his Indian counterpart on the sidelines of an Interpol meeting in Rome last fortnight.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 20th, 2012.
COMMENTS (8)
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What more proof do pakistan want from india? Already they have given enough documentary proof to pakistan regarding the culprits who are there in pakistan. Now it is time to take action, only after that we can think of mutual cooperation.
People in Pakistan cannot be punished only because India wants some one to be punished. India has to provide solid proof which should be admissible in our courts of law.
Indian government has lost it completely. They are really not sure where do they want to go with Pak. First, They make a brave attempt and invite Pak to play cricket, then going by the widespread opposition of that move they turn a cold feet and try to distance themselves from anything that looks like cooperating with Pak. A government which is made of so many allies is not expected to have a spine. They will always look confused and weak. They really need to decide what exactly they want from Pak and how. and then pursue it till they dont acheive it. This kind of half hearted approach will never help.
An IndianI wouldn't wish Rehman Malik on my worst enemy and India is not only my neighbor but also my ancestral home, a good riddance seems to be in accordance.
Whose idea was it to schedule the trip around this time of the year?
Bad planning. Though we should welcome anyone who is our guest, we just hosted Mushi.
What has been the need of Rehman Malik's India's tour and why????? Pakistan needs him more here than in India because the more targets are to be achieved yet and more and more for Pakistani nation's increasing difficulties' announcements by Rehman Malik are required till 10th of Muharram...
so, after 4 years of attack, a Pakistani minister is visiting India on the anniversary of the attack to sign the liberal visa agreement. I'm sure that, all those who will make use of this liberal visa agreement will come with good heart and will only share their love here once they come into India. Great,they were coming in boats earlier, now we are giving them legal routes for entry. Now, i know whom to vote in 2014.
Ahhh. The good old days when Pakistan could run to Amrika to pile pressure on the Indians. Now, even Saudi Arabia is taking India's side by handing over suspects involved in the Mumbai attacks.