New Delhi: External Affairs Minister SM Krishna will leave for Islamabad on Wednesday for his three three-day visit to the neighbouring country and for the first round of foreign ministers' talks with his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi.
Lashkar-e-Toiba operative David Coleman Headley, who scouted targets for the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, revelations that Pakistani terrorist leader Hafeez Saeed was the mastermind behind the attacks in which the ISI played an active and key role are sure to play a big role in Indo-Pak talks later on Wednesday.
India is expecting a more credible and effective action by Pakistan against those involved in Mumbai terror attacks. India's negotiating position will be boosted by the revelations of Headley regarding the involvement of Pakistan's intelligence agency in the terror attack.
Pakistan's former foreign minister Khursheed Mehmood Kasuri has urged both the countries not to give up the path of talks, as it would empower terrorists to veto their relations.
"Terrorists in both countries are striking for their own agenda and one of the agenda in case of Pakistani terrorist is a desire to not just disrupt relations, but if they could cause war between the two countries they would be very happy. I don't think government of Pakistan is willingly lenient on terrorism. They have tried to arrest a lot of people in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks case and also arrested Hafeez Saeed," said Kasuri in Lahore on Tuesday.
Krishna and Qureshi are also expected to discuss humanitarian agenda including exchange of imprisoned fishermen, how to encourage people to people contacts and bilateral trade.
The visit also takes place in the backdrop of weeks of violence in Kashmir Valley, in which the Indian Government sees involvement of elements from across the Line of Control.
In fact, some see a link between Krishna's visit and timing of the violence.
Belligerent hate-India speeches by leaders of jehadi groups such as Saeed, wanted in Mumbai terror attacks case, continue to cause concern, and which will undoubtedly be conveyed to Islamabad during the parleys on Thursday.
The two foreign ministers have been tasked by their prime ministers, who met in Thimphu in April, to bridge the trust deficit and increase confidence in the relationship, thus paving the way for a substantive dialogue on issues of mutual concern.
Home Minister P Chidambaram, who was in Pakistan last month, has conveyed India's expectations to Pakistani leadership and also sought speedy conclusion of the 26/11 terror attack trial there.
Although the upcoming talks are not being described as Composite Dialogue, India will not shy from discussing any issue concerning the bilateral ties.
Afghanistan may be another important subject for discussion between Krishna and Qureshi. India has pumped in millions of dollars in assistance to the war-torn country and is unwilling to cede any strategic space to Pakistan.
(With inputs from PTI)
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