US pressurises Pak to address India’s concerns

Diplomatic sources said the tensions between India and Pakistan and ensuring Islamabad’s cooperation to nab the terrorists involved in the Mumbai attacks was the focus of Mullen’s two-day visit.

Mullen met army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and Lt Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha, the head of the powerful Inter-Services Intelligence agency.

US embassy spokesman Lou Fintor said Mullen is visiting for “scheduled meetings with senior Pakistani officials on regional issues”. Mullen is expected to meet President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday.

However, the influential Dawn newspaper reported Mullen was “on a mission to urge Pakistan to arrest elements accused by India of being involved in last month’s Mumbai attacks for cooling down the mounting tension between the two countries”.

The newspaper quoted unnamed sources as saying that Mullen “might have sought commitments from the Pakistani leadership on the Indian demands which are also a pre-condition for resuming the peace process” between the two countries.

The role of the ISI was also discussed by Mullen, who is believed to have reiterated the US’s demand for bringing the spy agency under civilian control.

During their meetings with Mullen, Pakistani officials said they had taken sufficient action even without evidence being provided by India about the involvement of Pakistani elements in the attacks.

Mullen was also apprised by officials of Pakistan’s possible reaction in the event of an attack by India, the Dawn reported.

Mullen also reviewed peace deals with Taliban and discussed payment of USD 900 million in arrears for logistical support provided to the US by Pakistan, the report said.

India has blamed Pakistan-based elements, including the banned Lashker-e-Taiba, for planning and carrying out the Mumbai attacks that killed over 180 people. It has asked Pakistan to crack down on these elements.

Pakistan, which carried out a limited crackdown on LeT and its front organisation Jamaat-ud-Dawah, has been insisting that India has not shared any evidence on the attacks.

The US, on the other hand, is concerned that a further escalation in regional tension could result in Pakistan diverting troops from its border with Afghanistan to the Indian frontier.

This would adversely impact the US-led campaign in Afghanistan and make it easier for Taliban elements based in Pakistan’s tribal belt to conduct cross-border raids.