NEW DELHI, Jan 15: A news conference on Thursday where Prime Minister’s Adviser on Interior Affairs, Mr Rehman Malik, announced a crackdown on suspected terrorist groups has not gone down too well with India as it wants these matters to be discussed with it, preferably through diplomatic channels.

“We have seen statements in the media by the Interior Adviser of Pakistan assuring India of unconditional support in the Mumbai probe, urging India to use direct diplomatic channels with Pakistan, and saying that Islamabad needs more information from India in order to proceed with its own investigation,” Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee said.

“The material linking the terrorist attacks to Pakistan was handed over formally to the Pakistan High Commissioner in New Delhi on January 5, 2009,” he said. “Instead of being informed through the media, I would be happy to receive a direct response from Pakistan through existing diplomatic channels, and to see Pakistan implementing her words.”

Earlier, softening its stand that Pakistan should hand over the perpetrators of Mumbai attacks and other fugitives it claims are sheltered in Pakistan, India said it would have no objection if they are put through “fair trial” in Islamabad itself.

“It would be ideal if they (Pakistan) can hand over the fugitives from India to us. If that is not possible, there should at least be a fair trial of these fugitives in Pakistan,” Mr Mukherjee was quoted as telling a private TV channel.

He said it should not be a “mock trial” but a “transparent and demonstrated” one. PTI said his statement marked a softening of India’s position that the fugitives should be handed over to face “Indian justice”.

The shift in India’s approach followed comments by visiting British Foreign Secretary David Miliband that Pakistan’s judicial system was robust enough to try terror suspects at home.