Mourners gather Nov. 30 for a memorial to pay tribute to Indian police officers who lost their lives in the recent attacks in Mumbai, India.
(LEFTERIS PITARAKIS/AP Photo)More Photos
Vikram Sood, former head of the Indian external intelligence service told ABC News that "Pakistan will probably turn to the U.S. and tell them 'Get the Indians off our backs so we can focus on Afghanistan.' They will want the U.S. to push for and maybe mediate in talks with India."
But, he added, "although India will receive Secretary Rice, it's highly unlikely that they will agree to U.S. mediation."
"Neither India nor the U.S. wants to push the situation over the brink," Sood said, "but with the anger rising among Indian people, the government will have to tread very carefully."
But Monday evening, as Mumbai residents gathered for a candlelight vigil, the anger here appeared to be directed far more at local politicians than at neighboring Pakistan.
"Politicians are worse than prostitutes," one man said, "at least when you pay a prostitute she does the job."
The fury reflected by the people standing blocks away from the Taj seemed miles away from the customary resigned "chalta hai" ("anything goes") attitude expressed by most Indians after previous terrorist attacks.
Many here scoffed at news of the waves of resignations from Indian officials.
"Resignation is not enough," one man said. "They must be punished." ABC News' Dan Harris and The Associated Press contributed to this story.
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