Indian Discussion Forum

India today rejected Pakistan's claim that Hafiz Saeed, a suspected 26/11 mastermind, did not figure in the Foreign Secretary-level talks, saying the "unhindered freedom" he enjoyed there was "strongly" raised during the parleys.

Expressing "surprise" at the statement of Pakistan which also claimed that the issue of arrest of Saeed was not taken up during the February 25 talks here, the External Affairs Ministry said India has been demanding action against the Jamaat-ud-Dawah(JuD) chief since the barbaric and dastardly attacks in Mumbai in 2008.

"Saeed's activities including his recent vitriolic and venomous statements aimed at fomenting further acts of terrorism against India and the unhindered public space and freedom he enjoys in Pakistan was raised strongly by India during the Foreign Secretary-level talks," External Affairs Ministry spokesman said in a statement here.