Pak's response on 26/11 a 'positive development': Pranab

New Delhi, Feb 13: Pranab Mukherjee, the Union External Affairs Minister on Friday, Feb 13 officially replied to Pakistan"s 26/11 probe during the Budget session in Parliament. While addressing the Lok Sabha, Pranab said the Pakistani response to the Mumbai attacks probe is a 'positive development' and stressed that Pakistan should act with sincerity and effectiveness to get to the core of the terror attack.

He said that 26/11 Mumbai terror strikes were planned and executed from Pakistan. Pranab urged that Pakistan has to ensure that the terror outfits in their land is dismantled. “We will continue to review the situation, including Pakistan's responses and will take further steps that we deem necessary to protect our people," he said. He also expressed his regret that the Pak government has been indulging in diversion tactics from the beginning.

Minister said that it is left to Pakistan to choose what kind of relationship they want with India in future. "Authorities in Pakistan have to choose the kind of relationship that they want with India in future; much depends on actions in the Mumbai case reaching their logical conclusion," he said.

Pranab added that India has "no quarrel with the people of Pakistan and hence we do not feel it necessary to curtail people-to-people contacts. They (Pakistan) have also asked for more material. We are examining it. After examination, we will share whatever we can," said the Minister.

Reports suggest that Manmohan Singh the Prime Minister of India, who is recuperating from bypass surgery, is understood to have been informed about the development.

Pranab's comment came hours after Pakistan admitted that Mumbai attacks were 'partially' hatched in their land and that 6 people have been arrested in this connection.

OneIndia News (With inputs from Agencies)