India to remind Pakistan of its promise of 'reciprocity' in Pathankot case in SAARC meet

A final call is yet to be taken on whether Home Minister Rajnath Singh will travel to Pakistan to attend the two-day SAARC Home Interior/Home Ministers' conference which is to be held in the first week of August.

The Home Ministry is ready to remind Pakistan of its solemn promise of reciprocity in the Pathankot case.

Pakistan is, however, yet to fulfill its promise to allow a team of Indian investigators to visit their country to probe the biggest terror attack on Indian soil in year 2016.

POLITICAL CALL YET TO BE TAKEN, RAJNATH KEEN ON GOING

While a senior officer said there was no reason to not attend the SAARC meet, a political call is yet to be taken.

The parliament is in session, and according to sources, India is keen to have bilateral meetings with its counterparts from other SAARC member-countries, including Pakistan's Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan. Singh too is keen on attending the meet once the parliament session gets over August 12.

As per the SAARC charter, all member countries should attend the meet.

INDIA WILL RAISE PATHANKOT ISSUE

From the Ministry of Home Affairs, it is clear that when that happens "India will raise the Pathankot issue."

The meeting, which is scheduled on August 3-4, happens at a time when both the leaders are involved in a bitter war-of-words over Pakistan's interference in India's internal matters.

The Home Minister recently warned Pakistan stating that "the neighbour had evil designs, which would not be successful". Both the countries are involved in a heated verbal duel over Kashmir Valley.

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INDIA WILL REMIND PAK OF FAIR PLAY

This meet is an opportunity for India to remind Pakistan of "fair play".

India had allowed a Pakistan Joint Investigation Team (JIT) to collect critical evidence by giving them limited access to the Pathankot airbase and other crucial areas, causing much political furore in India.

The National Investigation Agency, which is probing the case, has proved beyond doubt in its investigation the role of Maulana Masood Azhar, the Chief of Jaish-e-Mohammed and his brother Abdul Rauf as masterminds. All of this information had been shared with the JIT.

However, the BJP has been on back foot for its decision to allow the Pakistan team to visit encounter site, despite huge security concerns.

Meanwhile, despite several reminders, Pakistan has chosen to be mum on the issue, neither confirming nor denying allowing the access to NIA.

India, on the other hand, is finalising a strategy to place before Pakistan several of its concern including terrorism originating from their soil.

A HIGH-LEVEL BSF MEET WITH PAK RANGERS

In a first since the Pathankot terror attack, a high level delegation of the Border Security Force led by DG KK Sharma left for Pakistan on Monday for talks with its counterpart- the Pakistan Rangers.

The BSF, however, would not raise the issue of Pathankot airbase attack in which six Pakistan-based Jaish Fidayeens suspected to have infiltrated from the international border from Bamiyal region manned by the Indian force.

The SAARC member-countries meet would focus on strengthening network and enhancing information-sharing among law enforcement agencies.

The last meeting of SAARC Interior/Home Ministers' conference was held in Kathmandu in 2014.

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