New Delhi: Reinforcing the strong remarks made by Indian Ambassador to Israel JP Singh, Defence expert Sanjeev Srivastava on Wednesday called on Pakistan to hand over the masterminds of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, while casting doubt over Islamabad’s willingness to cooperate.
“If Pakistan is smart enough to act against terrorism, they can hand over the masterminds of the Mumbai attacks to India. And if they do so, relations between both countries can improve,” Srivastava told media.
However, Srivastava questioned Pakistan’s credibility, pointing to its long-standing history of denial regarding the presence of terrorists on its soil.
Pakistan’s Track Record: “Denial and Inaction”
Srivastava highlighted that despite clear evidence, Pakistan has consistently refused to take action against key perpetrators of the 26/11 attacks, including:
- Hafiz Saeed
- Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi
- Sajid Mir
“They even claimed Sajid Mir was dead, only to later admit he is alive. These denials have gone on for far too long,” he remarked.
The Defence expert echoed Ambassador JP Singh’s recent remarks, in which the diplomat questioned why Pakistan cannot emulate the United States, which recently extradited Tahawwur Hussain Rana, another 26/11 accused, to India.
India’s Strategic Stance and Operation Sindoor
Srivastava also spoke about India’s evolving defence posture, pointing to the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile as a symbol of India’s rising strategic deterrence.
“India’s military capabilities are unmatched in the region. The message is clear: India will not tolerate cross-border terrorism,” he said.
India recently carried out Operation Sindoor on May 7, striking nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir (PoK). The operation was a retaliatory move following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians.
Global Support for India’s Anti-Terror Efforts
India’s firm response to the Pahalgam attack has drawn international support. Ethiopian Ambassador to India, Fesseha Shawel Gebre, strongly condemned the attack and blamed Pakistan for orchestrating it.
“India’s response has been responsible and measured,” the Ambassador said, adding that counter-terror cooperation between India and Ethiopia remains strong. A delegation from India is expected to visit Ethiopia by the end of May to brief officials about the attack.
Conclusion
While calls for Pakistan to act on 26/11 are not new, the renewed push by Indian officials and defence experts underscores a clear shift in tone—from diplomatic engagement to assertive accountability. With India’s strategic strength growing and international support strengthening, Islamabad faces mounting pressure to shed its policy of denial and take credible action against terror infrastructure within its borders.