India to Pakistan: Expedite 26/11 trial, give up double standards

NEW DELHI: Underlining that it is not ready to accept any sort of "closure" on the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, the government gave a renewed push to punish the guilty on the 13th anniversary of the terror strikes by summoning a senior Pakistani diplomat and calling for an expeditious trial in the long pending case. In a note verbale, it also asked Pakistan to abide by its commitment to not allow territories under its control to be used for terrorism against India.
The government said in a statement it was a matter of deep anguish that even after 13 years of the heinous terror attack, the families of 166 victims from 15 countries still awaited closure, with Pakistan showing little sincerity in bringing the perpetrators to justice. The statement by MEA also said India will continue to make every effort to seek justice for the families of the victims and the martyrs.
"The 26/11 terrorist attack was planned, executed and launched from Pakistani territory," it added. "The former Prime Minister of Pakistan had gone on record and admitted that the terrorists were sent from Pakistan’s soil. We once again call on the Government of Pakistan to give up double standards and to expeditiously bring the perpetrators of the horrific attack to justice," said the government. The trial in Pakistan has dragged on, marred by change of judges and prosecutors and various senior Lashkar-e-Toiba figures being let out on bail.
The MEA said Indian missions in 14 other countries, whose citizens lost their lives in these attacks, were organising memorial events remembering the victims, both national and foreign, reminding the world of the continuing global threat of terrorism.
The US also called for perpetrators to face justice. In a tweet, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, “On today’s anniversary, we remember the victims, including six Americans. It is long overdue for the perpetrators to face justice.”
The Mumbai trial in Pakistan has been delayed further with Islamabad insisting that 27 Indian witnesses travel to Pakistan and get their statements recorded. India, however, wants the witnesses to be examined in an atmosphere free of fear and intimidation and has offered to host a Pakistani judicial commission here.