No need to give further evidence to Pak on LeT: Manmohan Singh

Singh, who had two brief encounters with his Pakistani counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani at the Nuclear Security Summit here, said India could resume dialogue with Pakistan on all issues if "concrete" and "effective" action is taken against those behind the Mumbai terror strikes.

He also made it clear that there was no need for the US or any other country to get involved in Indo-Pak affairs.

"First of all, I do not see the need for any further evidence about the role of Lashkar-e-Taiba," he told a press conference when asked to comment on Gilani's contention that Pakistan did not have enough evidence to act against LeT leaders like Saeed.

Gilani had on Monday said Pakistan needed more evidence about LeT to take action against it in connection with the Mumbai carnage. "If we have more effective evidence, certainly they will be brought to justice," Gilani had said.

Singh said he hated to "enter into an argument" with Gilani at a press conference and added: "I think the American intelligence and the Americans forces have been saying and pointed out the role of Lashkar-e-Taiba, the link of Lashkar-e-Taiba with al-Qaeda.

"So I do not see there is any need for me to provide any additional evidence to Prime Minister Gilani about the role of Lashkar-e-Taiba, Hafeez Saeed, Illyas Kashmiri, Zaki-ur-Rahman, are names with regard to fanning of terrorism directed against (India)."

The Prime Minister also made known his dissatisfaction over insufficient action by Pakistan with regard to those behind 26/11 as he said that several of the "conspirators", including Saeed, were still roaming about freely.

Disagreeing that he had "complained" against Pakistan to Obama, Singh said he had to "explain" India's perspective, which is an "open secret", whenever anyone asks at meetings about the bilateral relations between India and Pakistan.

"We have said more than once that Pakistan, if it takes credible steps to bring the perpetrators of the horrible crime of 26/11 to book... that's the minimum we expect from Pakistan and if Pakistan does that, we would be very happy to talk to them and beginning talking to them once again on all our issues," Singh said.

When pointed out that Pakistan was already prosecuting seven terrorists in connection with 26/11 strikes, the Prime Minister said there were "other people" named in the conspiracy who were "roaming about freely" in Pakistan.

"That is the reality and these are facts which are brought about, not only by our intelligence agencies, but by intelligence agencies of friendly countries. We want Pakistan to at least bring those people to book and do it effectively."

India has put the composite dialogue on hold since the Mumbai attacks and refused to resume it till Pakistan punishes all those behind the carnage.

At India's initiative, the two countries held Foreign Secretary-level talks in February to discuss the issue of cross-border terrorism hurting India.

However, India has ruled out resumption of composite dialogue till it is satisfied with action Pakistan takes against perpetrators of Mumbai attacks.

Asked about his two encounters with Gilani here, Singh said he complemented the Pakistani Premier on the passage of the Constitution Amendment Bill which "I think makes the Prime Minister more powerful personality in Pakistan's political system."
"We did not have discussion on any other issue," he said.

Singh was, however, evasive when asked whether he would meet Gilani in Bhutan during the SAARC Summit later this month.

"I think there is still time to think about the meeting in Bhutan. When we reach there we would cross the bridge."

To a question about Obama telling him that tensions between India and Pakistan should be reduced, Singh said "I believe the issues in South Asia can be resolved and should be resolved by meaningful bilateral dialogue. I do not think there is any need for a outside force to come in play."

On whether India would get access to Pakistani- American terrorist David Headley, Singh said Obama has assured India that it would get access to the LeT operative, who has confessed to plotting the Mumbai attacks.

"I raised that matter with the President and he did mention to me that he is aware of the legal position, and that we would get access to David Headley," Singh told a press conference here, wrapping up his 4-day US visit.

On Iran, Singh said he had told Obama that India does not favour Iran's nuclear weapons ambitions but sanctions were not an answer to it as poor people get affected more than the ruling establishment.

"I said to the President that we do not favour Iran's nuclear weapons ambitions," he said.