Pak must take 26/11 probe seriously: Sonia Gandhi

NEW DELHI: In a rare foreign policy intervention, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi has asked Pakistan to attach greater seriousness to investigations into the terror attack on Mumbai.

"We must continue to insist that Pakistan takes the investigation into the Mumbai terrorist attack seriously and bring all the perpetrators of that terrible crime to justice," she wrote in the latest issue of party mouthpiece `Congress Sandesh'.

Outlining the Indian approach to the issue of relations with Pakistan, she said, "While we strive for peace, we cannot and will not be soft on terrorism."

Coming soon after foreign minister S M Krishna's visit to Pakistan, Sonia's comments on India's ties with its neighbour have acquired considerable significance.

Her pronouncements on the sensitive foreign policy issue are being invested with some meaning because of Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi's `hawkish' approach during Krishna's visit.

A perceived ambivalence in the high echelons of the Indian government over the ties with Pakistan could have been another cause for the intervention.

The disconnect between the foreign office and home ministry as demonstrated by the utterances of Krishna and home secretary G K Pillai is being seen as another reason.

Welcoming Krishna's visit she said, "It is important that we engage our neighbour to address outstanding issues, in particular the issue of cross-border terrorism."

Sonia pointed out that India had made it clear in no uncertain terms that "effective action by Pakistan against terrorism is central to restoring good relations between our countries."

She, however, described the recent visits by home minister P Chidambaram and Krishna to Pakistan as "welcome steps forward".

Sonia's remarks on ties with Pakistan seem to have unfolded a `hardline' approach needed to remove any impression that India has gone soft to accommodate Pakistan without a corresponding response from Islamabad.