Pathankot attack probe: India confident of Pakistan’s assistance

Home minister says Islamabad should be given time

In a rare positive sign, India has expressed confidence Pakistan will deliver on its promise of investigating any alleged links to the Pathankot air base attack, saying Islamabad should be given more time.

“Pakistan government has assured they will be taking swift action in the Pathankot attack probe," Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh said on Tuesday. “I think we should give them more time. Moreover, there is no reason to doubt Pakistan’s assurance.”

The Congress has, however, slammed the Centre for not bringing Pakistan’s suspected role in the Pathankot attack to the forefront in the international arena. “I feel like we have not reacted enough... we should have reacted more seriously," Congress leader PC Chacko said.



But Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi lashed out at the Congress for critiquing the Centre over India’s current policy with Pakistan.

He said the government was capable of handling national security affairs and the grand old party should refrain from becoming ‘experts’ on the issue.

“Be it Congress or anyone, they do not need to become experts and international commentators when it comes to national security,” Naqvi said.

New Indian envoy

Meanwhile, the newly appointed Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan reached Lahore via Wagah Border to assume his duties in Islamabad on Tuesday.

Gautam Bambawale has replaced TCA Raghavan, who has gone back to India after his retirement.

Talking to reporters after crossing the border, Bambawale said he had come with a message of peace.

He said he would work to improve relationships between India and Pakistan. “I will do my best to strengthen relations between the two neighbouring countries,” he added.

“The two governments are in touch with each other. We will have to wait and see what would be the next step,” he replied when asked about the upcoming foreign secretary-level talks.

Bambawale, who has previously worked in the US, Germany and China, left for Islamabad afterwards to assume his duties. He was serving as the Indian ambassador to Bhutan before his assignment in Pakistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 13^th, 2016.