Pak not serious in punishing Mumbai attackers: Krishna

Accusing Pakistan of not being serious in punishing perpetrators of the Mumbai terror attacks, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna today said India has provided enough evidence for their prosecution.

He also made it clear that Pakistan was to be blamed for the suspension of the composite dialogue after the 26/11 terror strikes and said it has to take the initiative for the resumption of the process.

"According to legal experts, the six dossiers which we have provided to Pakistan contain enough evidence against the conspirators, abettors and perpetrators of the Mumbai terror attacks to get them punished in a court of law," he told reporters here.

"If Pakistan were to be serious about taking the logical steps to punish those responsible for the attack on India or Mumbai, this is an instance that they can show to the world and India that they are serious," he said.

The Minister said India has given to Pakistan the names and other details of those involved in the strikes in Mumbai.

"It is but natural that they should arrest all those and bring them to justice," he said.Krishna said New Delhi will keep engaging Pakistan on the "logical follow up" that should be taken. "We expect that it will be done," he said.

Asked about Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi's remarks that India is not coming forward for resumption of talks, Krishna said, "India was happily conituning with its composite dialogue till the Mumbai attacks which abruptly ended, temporarily,  the composite dialogue.

"So, I think Pakistan has to blame itself for the suspension of the composite dialogue and again it has to be Pakistan's initiative now to satisfy India's requirement for the resumption of composite dialogue," he said.

The Minister said India is fully aware that Pakistan is the "epicentre of terror in this region". This, he said, has been brought to the notice of Pakistan as well as friendly countries.

On a question about incursion by a Chinese helicopter in Leh sector recently, Krishna sought to downplay the incident saying there was an in-built mechanism to deal with such issues.

"Whenever they take place this mechanism comes into operation and things are settled," he said.

On being asked about the future steps the government planned on the Mumbai terror attack issue, Krishna said, "India will have to continue to play a very patient game with Pakistan".      

He said India will be "waiting for Pakistan to deliver on its promises made at various fora and various point of time. If they (Pakistan) have any difficulty, it should explain so that we can help them."      

India has given to Pakistan the names and other details of those involved in the strikes in Mumbai, the External Affairs Minister said, adding "It is but natural that they should arrest all those and bring them to justice."   

Since Pakistan has admitted that the Mumbai attacks were planned and executed by its nationals from its soil, it should have evidence in this regard on the basis of which it should act.      

India said it is only assisting that by providing whatever information it has.       

Krishna said New Delhi will keep engaging Pakistan on the "logical follow up" that should be taken. "We expect that it will be done," he said. 

To a question, the Minister said India is fully aware that Pakistan is the "epicentre of terror in this region". This, he said, has been brought to the notice of Pakistan as well as friendly countries.