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Indo-US treaty may curb terrorism

Amberish K Diwanji in New Delhi

The Indo-United States extradition treaty has come into force. The treaty, which was signed by both countries in June 1997, was ratified and the instruments of ratification exchanged by both the nations recently.

The treaty is considered an important step forward in the Indo-US law enforcement cooperation, especially as far as countering terrorism is concerned. Many anti-India terrorists have been based in the United States, or draw support and funds from groups in the United States, and with this new treaty, India can seek the extradition of those terrorists who stand charged of serious crimes.

India has already signed and ratified extradition treaties with the United Kingdom and Canada, two other havens for terrorist organisations. Now with the US treaty also coming into force, Indian security agencies will acquire more teeth in the fight against terrorists.

The fact that only yesterday US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright condemned the terrorist attacks in Jammu is seen as another step forward in the Indo-US cooperation, being built on the plank of anti-terrorism.

"Certainly the treaty coming into force yesterday is merely coincidental," said a senior ministry of external affairs official, "but in the context of the US also growing increasingly concerned at terrorist activities, it can only help foster our bilateral ties."

Yesterday, when US President Bill Clinton spoke with Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee over the telephone, the latter said that Pakistan must show specific steps in its commitment to peace. These include complete withdrawal beyond the Line of Control, reaffirming the sanctity of the LoC, and stopping all sponsorship of cross-border terrorism, which amounted to transgressing the LoC.

Moreover, External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh has categorically stated that to foster trust between India and Pakistan, the latter will "have to stop sponsoring cross-border terrorism".

Thus, it is clear that India has upped the ante on talks by insisting that any future dialogue will be on the basis of Islamabad not sponsoring or supporting the terrorists in Kashmir. "We have made it clear that it is not possible to hold talks while Pakistan continues to support terrorists," said the senior official.

India is thus deriving two advantages from the ongoing process. On the one hand it is building bridges in its relations with the US, which has strongly supported India all along the Kargil conflict. And on the other, India is forcing Pakistan to abjure its support to the various terrorist organisations in Pakistan.

The Indian government is also in no hurry to resume talks with Pakistan, though India remains committed to the Lahore process.

"By asking Pakistan to stop backing the terrorists, it is almost like an impossible demand made to Islamabad. Terrorism will certainly not stop and we can then always say that talks can't be held under such circumstances. Thus, we hold the advantage," said a source in the MEA.

The source pointed out that in the post-Kargil scenario, where the whole world appreciated India's amazing restraint in not crossing the LoC despite the grave provocation, the statements of India were bound to be appreciated by the international comity.

"For many years, whenever we shouted from the rooftops about Pakistan sponsoring terrorism, the world turned a deaf ear and a blind eye. But now, after Kargil, they all realise that Pakistan is a virtual rogue state and are bound to put pressure on Pakistan to curb its terrorist activities," he said.

The source added that given Pakistani weaknesses, financially and otherwise, it could not afford to completely ignore the international community, especially the West.

New Delhi has also taken note of the statement of Pakistani Information Minister Mushahid Hussain that the "terrorists are being relocated in Doda and Srinagar".

"Coming from a person who has visited the camps of the Lashkar-e-Toiba where he exhorted those present to wage war against India, it only shows the Pak support to continuing terrorist activities against India. Under such circumstances, to even talk about talks seems difficult," said the senior MEA official.

The official pointed out that one of the objectives of the entire Kargil conflict -- besides seeking to cut off the Srinagar-Leh highway and internationalising the Kashmir dispute -- was to give a fillip to the terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir. "Terrorism was dying in the state. Tourists were returning to the state until the Kargil conflict put a halt to such traffic. It is Pakistan's design to keep the state forever in turmoil," he added.

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