NEW DELHI: Amid reports of India sending a team of investigators to quiz David Coleman Headley, the US on Tuesday appeared to signal a change in stance over giving New Delhi direct access to the Pakistani-American terror suspect, saying no decision has been taken on the issue.

While the government did not react officially, sources said they were still hopeful that the US would not deny direct access to a man who was a key plotter in the most horrendous terror attack in India that left 166 people killed, including six Americans. “If they deny us direct access, it will affect ties, but we are hopeful of getting access,” said a source.
Four days after US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia, Mr Robert Blake said here that Indian investigators will have access to Headley, US Ambassador Mr Timothy J Roemer said that “no decision on direct access for India to David Headley has been made.”
The envoy stressed that the US was committed to full information sharing with India, but made it clear that the two sides are still working on the modalities of such cooperation. The envoy’s remarks did not play out well in India.
After Mr Blake’s remarks and a telephonic discussion with US Attorney General, Mr Eric Holder, also head of the justice department, Home Minister Mr P Chidambaram had asked the National Investigation Authority and other agencies to prepare documents necessary for questioning Headley.
Meanwhile, the US Ambassador Mr Timothy Roemer’s remarks on Tuesday prompted senior Home Ministry officials to consult legal experts on moving ahead with the process of interrogating the 26/11 accused.
Special Secretary (Internal Secretary), Mr U K Bansal on Tuesday night met Solicitor General, Mr Gopal Subramanium and discussed with him the options available before Indian investigators to  question Headley after the US envoy clarified that no discussion about the access to Headley had been taken.
There was no official word on the meeting but sources said there was discussion on drafting a legal document which would state India’s questions for the accused, who has admitted to the conspiracy behind the Mumbai attacks.
Home Secretary, Mr G K Pillai said on Tuesday night that government was not taking cognisance of Mr Roemer’s remarks and would be sending its investigators to the US at the earliest. “I think we are going ahead and we are not really taking cognisance of the US ambassador’s remarks,” he said.
Asked whether India would be provided direct access to interrogate Headley, Mr Pillai said, “Yes, that is our understanding and that is the understanding the Home Minister has also, after his conversation with the US Attorney General.”