<p>Journalist Ved Pratap Vaidik, whose meeting with 2008 Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed in Lahore has kicked up a row, Monday defended himself by saying he only wanted to analyse the Pakistani terror group leader's mind to "perceive his motivation about India".<br /><br /></p>.<p>Asked what was his objective in meeting the Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief who is wanted in India for the Mumbai attack, Vaidik told CNN-IBN: "The objective was very simple. I am a journalist and I really wanted to know him.<br /><br />"I wanted to know what kind of a man he is and why he committed heinous crimes against India. I wanted to analyse his mind."<br /><br />He said he has been meeting all sorts of people as a journalist, including those who dislike India.<br /><br />"In Sri Lanka, I used to meet even worst India-haters. I listen to everybody's argument and I try to cut down their argument and pursuade them," Vaidik said.<br /><br />He said his "controversial" meetings are aimed at mobilising peace in South Asia by way of pursuading people.<br /><br />"I have a mission. The entire South Asia should be united. I try to promote peace and prosperity in this entire region," he said.<br /><br />He categorically denied any link with the Vivekananda International Foundation, to which National Security Advisor Ajit Doval is associated.<br /><br />"You are totally mistaken. I have never been a part of Vivekananda International Foundation. In fact, I have a grudge against them as they never invited me to deliver a lecture. I am not part of any organisation of the BJP or any other political party," he said. Vaidik downplayed the controversy over his meeting with Hafiz Saeed, saying: "As a journalist, nobody is my boss, I follow my own conscience."</p>
<p>Journalist Ved Pratap Vaidik, whose meeting with 2008 Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed in Lahore has kicked up a row, Monday defended himself by saying he only wanted to analyse the Pakistani terror group leader's mind to "perceive his motivation about India".<br /><br /></p>.<p>Asked what was his objective in meeting the Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief who is wanted in India for the Mumbai attack, Vaidik told CNN-IBN: "The objective was very simple. I am a journalist and I really wanted to know him.<br /><br />"I wanted to know what kind of a man he is and why he committed heinous crimes against India. I wanted to analyse his mind."<br /><br />He said he has been meeting all sorts of people as a journalist, including those who dislike India.<br /><br />"In Sri Lanka, I used to meet even worst India-haters. I listen to everybody's argument and I try to cut down their argument and pursuade them," Vaidik said.<br /><br />He said his "controversial" meetings are aimed at mobilising peace in South Asia by way of pursuading people.<br /><br />"I have a mission. The entire South Asia should be united. I try to promote peace and prosperity in this entire region," he said.<br /><br />He categorically denied any link with the Vivekananda International Foundation, to which National Security Advisor Ajit Doval is associated.<br /><br />"You are totally mistaken. I have never been a part of Vivekananda International Foundation. In fact, I have a grudge against them as they never invited me to deliver a lecture. I am not part of any organisation of the BJP or any other political party," he said. Vaidik downplayed the controversy over his meeting with Hafiz Saeed, saying: "As a journalist, nobody is my boss, I follow my own conscience."</p>