India gives 2 sets of dates for Home Secy level talks with Pak

New Delhi, Feb 21 (PTI) India has proposed two sets ofdates -- March 21-22 and March 28-29 -- to Pakistan for HomeSecretary-level talks, where counter-terrorism, includingprogress in Mumbai terror attacks trial and the demand forvoice samples of 26/11 accused are expected to be discussed.

Home Secretary Gopal K Pillai extended the invitation toPakistan Interior Secretary Chaudhry Qamar Zaman last week anda response from Islamabad is awaited, official sources said.

This will be the first structured bilateral Secretary-level meeting on counter-terrorism after the recent Indo-Pakdecision to resume comprehensive talks.

More than two years after India had suspended compositedialogue with Pakistan in the wake of 26/11 attacks in 2008,the two sides recently decided to resume comprehensivedialogue on all outstanding issues.

Pillai last week told PTI that India will ask Pakistanhow much progress on 26/11 investigations was made in thatcountry.

"We will ask for voice transcripts even though the trialcourt has said no. We will ask them why they have not gone andappealed. I am sure the High Court or the Supreme Court mayhave said that the voice transcripts can be given," he hadsaid.

India has been demanding voice samples of prime accusedof Mumbai attacks case Lashkar-e-Toiba terrorist Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi and others giving instructions to the tenterrorists who attacked Mumbai.

A Rawalpindi court is hearing a case against Lakhvi andsix of his accomplices, who have been charged with planningand facilitating the 26/11 strikes.