India awaits Pakistan crackdown

The Pakistan president has told a U.S. delegation he will outline his stance in a national TV address

NEW DELHI, India (CNN) -- The Indian government is pleased Western nations and Pakistan are agreeing with its point of view on terrorism, Indian government sources told CNN Tuesday. Now they want action.

In Islamabad, Pakistan, a U.S. Senate delegation met with Pakistan's president, Gen. Pervez Musharraf Tuesday, and discussed the crisis in Kashmir. The senators came away encouraged with the leader's words. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., called the meeting "informative" and "helpful."

Musharraf has told U.S. and British officials he will deliver a nationally televised address this week promising a continued crackdown on terrorist organizations in his country, a move the White House and the senators say is a step toward defusing tensions between Islamabad and New Delhi.

Sen. Joseph Lieberman, D-Conn., said in Islamabad Tuesday that the speech will be extremely important.

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A great source of frustration within the Indian government has been the perception that there has been a double standard regarding the definition of terrorism by the West.

India has wanted the United States and Britain to push Pakistan to treat terrorism in India the same way it would treat terrorism in the United States.

India blames Pakistani-based Islamic militants for the December 13 suicide attack on its Parliament and the October 1 attack on the legislature in Srinigar, in Kashmir. As a result, both India and Pakistan have massed troops along their border.

India is still looking for signs that Pakistan is putting its words into action, with a senior Indian government source saying words are nice, "but now we need action."

The government of Pakistan has made a series of arrests and has outlawed groups believed responsible for terror attacks, including last month's attack on the Indian parliament.

In addition, India has demanded the extradition of 20 men it claims are responsible for acts of terrorism on Indian soil. Musharraf said Monday he would study India's demand, after dismissing it in the past, another possible sign of progress in tense India-Pakistan relations.

McCain said the senators, a delegation that has been visiting Central Asia, encouraged Musharraf "to do whatever he can to renounce terrorism and to diffuse tension in the region and the area of Kashmir."

Lieberman said the senators "spoke extensively" with Musharraf about the present tensions between the two countries after the terror attacks in October and December, and said the meeting with Musharraf "was warm, it was direct, and from my point of view it was quite encouraging."

"It is fair to say, that Musharraf spoke quite seriously about remarks he will give to the people of Pakistan within the next two to three days."

Lieberman said he hopes the remarks will be "bold in principle" and "fresh," encouraging a response from the Indian government that will lead to a lessening of tensions." He also hopes that the nations will move some of their troops away from their common border.

Musharraf "is thinking very seriously, and I think he is searching for a fresh initiative that will not only reduce tensions that exist now between Pakistan and India, but will begin a whole new chapter in the Kashmir dispute," Lieberman said.

In a news conference in Islamabad with British Prime Minister Tony Blair Monday, Musharraf said that "Pakistan rejects terrorism in all its forms."

Blair took the joint appearance by the world leaders to praise the Pakistani president for the steps he has already taken against terrorism and gently prodded him to do more.

"In our discussions Mister President, you made it clear ... that Pakistan rejects terrorism in all forms, (Indian) Prime Minister Vajpayee says he (is) willing to have dialogue on all issues ... and that dialogue must be real and meaningful," Blair said.

Arun Jaitley, Indian minister of Law and Justice, said Blair's message is a vindication of India's stand and reflects U.S. and British support for India's fight against terrorism.

U.S. President George Bush also joined Blair in challenging the Pakistani president.

"I think it's very important for President Musharraf to make a clear statement to the world that he intends to crack down on terror," President Bush told reporters Monday. "And I believe if he does that, and continues to do what he is doing, it will provide relief ... on a situation that is still serious."