Mumbai attacks anniversary: India asks Malik to cancel Delhi yatra
No new dates suggested for the visit.
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.