US intelligence chief meets Home Minister in New Delhi

America's top intelligence official Dennis C Blair met Union Home Minister P Chidambaram in New Delhi on Thursday. Blair was accompanied by the US ambassador in New Delhi Timothy J Roemer and a delegation of the US Secret Service. The two sides are said to have discussed issues related to terrorism emanating from Pakistan and also the recent spate of terror attacks in Afghanistan targeting Indians.

The ambassador told reporters after the meeting in North Block that the US would cooperate with the government of India in all areas, including terrorism. The visit was to maintain "the day by day, hour by hour cooperation with the government of India and the United States on issues of terrorism... and fighting a common enemy", Roemer said.

The US intelligence head also held a meeting with Intelligence Bureau Director Rajiv Mathur on the issue of terrorism and the ways to counter it, a home ministry official said. Blair's visit comes days after his statement that Pakistan was using militant groups like the Lashkar-e-Taiba as strategic tools against India.

Meanwhile, India on Thursday ruled out the possibility of any surgical strike on terror camps inside Pakistan, but asserted that adequate measures would be taken to ensure its interests are protected. "No, no," minister of state for defence M M Pallam Raju, said when asked about the possibility of surgical strikes on terror camps inside the neighbouring country. He told reporters, "We will take adequate measures to see to it that our nation is safe, our citizens are safe, and our interests are safeguarded."

- Asian Tribune -