Furore over Narayanan speech

A speech by National Security Advisor (NSA) M K Narayanan at the 43rd Munich Conference on Security Policy seems to have led to some consternation as far as political circles are concerned.

In the speech, Narayanan squarely blames Pakistan for sponsoring terrorists and names Habib Bank of Pakistan as being a channel for funding terrorist outfits. The stance is in complete variance with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's

"Pakistan is also a victim of terror" stand and has raised some questions on the strategic thinking in the government.

"The Lashkar-e-Toiba, the Hizbul Mujahideen and the Al Badr (which operate in India), are well patronised, including through provision of funds by certain official agencies across the border," said Narayanan.

"Shared objectives such as involvement in 'low intensity conflict' provide the excuse for such official support. A tentative estimate of funds made available to such terrorist outfits annually is in the region of a few million dollars," he added.

Narayanan also added that charity funds and banks channel funds to terror outfits. An important source of funds to jehadi terrorist outfits are religious charities.

"The Al Rashid Trust went through several changes in nomenclature, while the banned International Islamic Relief morphed into the Sanabil Al Khir Foundation. Conduits through which such funds find their way to terrorist organisations include established banking channels such as the Habib Bank in Pakistan." he said.

A senior official in the Ministry of External Affairs dismissed this talk, saying that security experts had never changed their viewpoint, despite the efforts by diplomats to take the high road. "It is the NSA's job to be suspicious, and the PM's job to offer hope," said a senior official.

But the BJP does not seem to be interested in such a balancing act. "Narayanan is part of a close circle of advisors to the PM. His obvious contradiction of the PM will not be seen in a good light," said a senior BJP leader.