The United States on Saturday said it will allow Indian investigators to interrogate David Headley, who has pleaded guilty to his involvement in the Mumbai terror attacks, but made it clear that he cannot be extradited to India.
Asked if Indian investigators would be provided access to interrogate Headley, US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Robert Blake said 'Yes.'
Blake ruled out Headley's extradition to India but left the options open on such a move in case more charges came up against him in the future.
"With respect to the Headley case, the plea bargain agreement was announced and part of that agreement was that the US would not extradite Headley either to India or Pakistan or Denmark for the charges for which he has now admitted guilt," Blake told reporters after attending a CII organised event in New Delhi.
"But that does not mean that at some future date, some additional charges could not be brought. I do not want to speculate much on the future charges, but at least on these charges he cannot be extradited," he said.
49-year-old Pakistani-American Headley had pleaded guilty before a US court to all the 12 charges against him of conspiracy involving bombing public places in India, murdering and maiming persons and providing material support to Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Tayiba, besides aiding and abetting the murder of six US citizens in the 26/11 attacks that killed 166 people.
Blake responded to questions from reporters on Headley and the US approach to Pakistan in dealing with terror outfits operating from that country.
"We think it is very important for Pakistan to tick off the LeT threat. Not just because of the security and stability of the US, but also India and other countries," he said.
"So this is something I will be discussing on my trip to Pakistan," Blake, who will be travelling to Islamabad and Afghanistan from India, said.
Asked if US would bring pressure on Pakistan to act against the terror groups operating from its soil, Blake noted that Pakistan had always said it would not allow terrorists to operate from its soil and the US and its friends expected Islamabad to abide by that 'very important' commitment.
