TIA Special Correspondent
NEW DELHI: India on Monday said that the issue of extradition of David Headley would be raised during president Obama visit to India next week. Headley is an alleged mastermind of 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
Briefing the media here on Monday Home minister said that extradition was an option and India would continue to pursue this ‘option’. On the possibility of filing a chargesheet against Headley in connection with the Mumbai attack, he said that the decision has to be taken by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) which is the prosecuting agency and not by the government.
Home Minister however said that the two governments are working on an understanding with reference to counter terrorism initiative.
He said that the United States has assured to share with India the outcome of the full review by the US on what and when they knew about David Headley and his connection with the Mumbai terror attack.
The Home Minister said, the full review is at present going on in the United States. He said that the issue had been “blown out of proportion.’’ He maintained that the U.S. had shared intelligence with India in the months leading to 26/11 as well as after 26/11, though the name of David Headley was not mentioned. He said the name of David Headley was shared with India sometime in October 2009.
Foolproof security for Obama
Chidambaram also said that foolproof security arrangements will be made during the forthcoming visit of the U.S. President Barack Obama to India.
“Foolproof security will be provided during the visit of President Obama and there should be no concern regarding the security of the U.S. President during his visit,’’ he said in reply to query.
He said that U.S. Ambassador Timothy Roemer met him earlier in the day and expressed his satisfaction over the security preparedness in view of President Obama’s visit. “The U.S. ambassador met me in connection with President Obama’s security. He is fully satisfied,’’ he added.