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Rediff.com  » News » India to raise Saeed issue before Burns

India to raise Saeed issue before Burns

By A BS Reporter
October 16, 2009 03:23 IST
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India is expected to convey its unhappiness over Pakistan's equivocation on Jamaat-ud Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed to US Under Secretary of State William Burns, who arrived in New Delhi on a two-day visit.

New Delhi accuses Saeed of masterminding the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks that left scores of Indian and US citizens dead, though Pakistan claims there is not much evidence against him, as a result of which he continues to be a free man.

The status of investigation into the Mumbai terror strikes is expected to be discussed when the two sides review bilateral ties. Burns will meet External Affairs Minister S M Krishna and National Security Advisor M K Narayanan and hold talks with Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao.

During the meetings, the two sides will also discuss aspects related to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to the US next month.

While sharing India's concern over the terrorist threat that could emanate from Pakistan, US Ambassador Timothy Roemer yesterday sought prosecution of seven suspects of the Mumbai attacks, including Saeed.

"It is very important that Pakistan prosecutes successfully the seven suspects of the Mumbai attacks, take the facts and evidence about Hafiz Saeed and prosecute him," he had said.

Burns met HRD Minister Kapil Sibal. After their meeting, Sibal said: "We will set up an Indo-US council on education. Burns said the universities in the US want that the road map for their entry to India be expedited and that they are ready to come. There is a lot of enthusiasm from private sector, government and universities in this direction."

Sibal said he would lead a delegation of industry leaders and university people to the US on October 24. He is scheduled to visit a number of institutions, including Harvard University, Yale University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and George Washington University.

During his visit to the US, Sibal is expected to meet policy makers, Congressmen and Senators besides academics and private industry to explore the scope of collaboration between institutions of both countries and also invite investment in education in India.

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A BS Reporter
Source: source