News Politics National Depends on which language Pak understands, cricket, war or dialogue, says Salman Khursheed

Depends on which language Pak understands, cricket, war or dialogue, says Salman Khursheed

New Delhi, Dec 2: External Affairs Minister Salman Khursheed has said any further movement in India-Pak ties depends on Pakistan taking action against the perpetrators of 26/11 Mumbai attacks.  Replying to questions by Rajat Sharma


(Agar woh cricket ki bhasha samajhte hain, toh hum cricket ki bhasha samjhayenge, agar woh yuddh ki bhasha samajhte hain, toh hum yuddh ki bhasha samjhayenge, aur agar woh baatchit ki bhasha samajhte hain, toh hum baatachit ki bhasha samjhayenge)

Asked about Pakistan government refusing to accept India's letter giving prior information about the execution of Ajmal Kasab, Khursheed said "In fact, our High Commission officials gave them two letters. The first letter was related to the steps being taken for hanging Kasab, and the second letter was related to a request for providing maximum security to Indian diplomats in the wake of the execution. They accepted the second letter, but refused to take the first letter."

"We sent a letter about execution to Kasab's family, based on his address in Pakistan, asking them to take the body, but there was no reply. So we buried the body as per rules and fulfilled our duty".

Asked about the perpetrators of 26/11 attacks, Khursheed said, we have requested Pakistan not only once, but several times asking them to take steps to punish the guilty.  

"If there has to be further movement in our relations, Pakistan must show accountability. Our then Home Minister Chidambaram had given them a list of persons whose voice recordings were needed, but they did not send", said Khursheed.