Bangalore: India not getting an
opportunity to interrogate terror accused David Headley on
home soil does not amount to New Delhi getting a "raw deal"
from the US, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna said on Saturday.
When asked if it is a raw deal that Headley would not
be produced in India, Krishna shot back, "No. Why do you have
to jump to conclusions?"
He said it was the US government which arrested him
and interrogating him. The US had assured India that it would
certainly get an opportunity to interrogate Headley.
In addition, India had an arrangement with the US as
far as counter-terrorism mechanism was concerned and "we are
always in touch. I don't think the concern of yours (the
reporter) is very valid".
Asked if there is a need for an extradition treaty
with the US in view of the "difficulties" in getting Headley
to India, Krishna said "I don't want to prejudge the issue."
He said India was entitled to question Headley and it
intends to exercise that option, as the target of the crime
(Mumbai attack) which Headley had conspired was India and "we
have felt the maximum impact of that".
PTI
First Published: Saturday, March 20, 2010, 21:45