E-Paper
India-Pak to work on 'law of comity' for 26/11 probe
India and Pakistan have made some leeway in their demands for sending commissions with regard to 26/11 terror attack to each other's country by agreeing on the principle of comity.
India and Pakistan have made some leeway in their demands for sending commissions with regard to 26/11 terror attack to each other's country by agreeing on the principle of comity.
India's foreign secretary Nirupama Rao said both sides have agreed to work on the principle of "law of comity." Comity refers to legal reciprocity.
It means that courts should not act in a way that demeans the jurisdiction, laws, or judicial decisions of another country.
Islamabad has replied to India's note on December 17, which sought clarification on Pakistan's demand for sending a judicial commission to record the statements of additional chief metropolitan magistrate RV Sawant Waghule and investigating officer Ramesh Mahale.
They recorded 26/11 convict Ajmal Kasab's statement, among others on February 3, just ahead of the foreign secretary-level talks.
India had also proposed sending a panel mandated to obtain the voice samples of the masterminds who gave directions to 26/11 attackers in Mumbai.
In its reply, Pakistan has sought clarifications on terms and reference of the Indian panel.
Afghanistan and UN
The two sides also discussed the ways to address issues such as Afghanistan and working together on issues before the United Nations.
Rao on Qureshi's comment
Sounding caution about going rhetoric on bilateral issues, Rao pitched for making the right atmosphere for the dialogue process to gather momentum. When asked about Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mahmoud Qureshi's recent interview, where he said India should take a fresh look on Kashmir, Rao said "I haven't seen the interview". "We must create a right atmosphere to begin with. Rhetoric will not help," she added.
