Taking over the reins of the Home Ministry after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, P. Chidambaram has tried to galvanise and motivate the massive security and intelligence apparatus into making fight against terror its first mission. Though he agrees that things are gradually changing, the Home Minister asserts that the UPA government has not been soft on terror. Faced with the task of providing security during the five-phase Lok Sabha elections, Mr. Chidambaram, in this interview to Harish Khare and Vinay Kumar, speaks about India’s preparedness to tackle terror and his attempts to change the way policing is done today. Here are the excerpts of the interview:

For five years what did your government do to tackle terrorism? What was the need for this roadmap of the Congress party to tackle terrorism?

The record will speak for itself. Unfortunately, unless it is recorded, the record will not speak for itself so we decided that we will record what has been done, what is being done and what will be done. It is not a White Paper, it is work in progress.

And what is the difference in your approach post-Mumbai terror attacks?

There is no difference in approach, it’s just that emphasising the elements of the anti-terror strategy which deserve to be emphasised and creating a structure under which you can deliver what has to be delivered. I think the elements were all there, the elements are being brought together in a manner that people who are involved in the anti-terror effort are aware of their priorities are aware of their responsibilities and are part of a structure which will enforce accountability.  (Full story)