26/11 ISI links: Nirupama Rao to go to Pakistan in June-end

New Delhi, Jun 14: Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao will travel to Islamabad later this month to hold talks with her Pakistani counterpart during which India will raise the issue of nexus between Pakistan's ISI and the perpetrators of 26/11 attacks, as brought out by the trial of Pakistani-Canadian terrorist Tahawwur Rana in the US.

In the first such exercise since their last meet in February in Thimphu, Rao and her Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashir will hold parleys to review the status of bilateral ties and the situation in the region.

Highly-placed sources said Rao will be travelling to Islamabad later this month. They also said the probable dates for the meeting would be between June 24 and 27.

Other bilateral issues to be discussed during the meeting would be Jammu and Kashmir, peace and security and Confidence Building Measures (CBMs).

"As far as India is concerned, we have got very important evidence, assessments and statements on oath that makes a world of difference. Rana has gone and appeared in a court in Chicago on his own. He has mentioned about the nexus between Pakistan''s ISI and the perpetrators of Mumbai attack," External Affairs Minister S M Krishna said.

"When the two Foreign Secretaries (of India and Pakistan) meet, all issues of bilateral nature will be taken up. This (Rana's confessions) is also going to be one of the important issues and we will be taking it up," he said.

PTI