China responds to India over Lakkvi issue, says its move was based on facts

Barely a day after India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi took up the issue with China’s President Xi Jinping over Beijing’s move to block UN’s action against Pakistan on the release of 26/11 Mumbai mastermind Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, China defended its action saying it was based on facts.

“As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China always deals with the 1267 committee matters based on facts and in the spirit of objectiveness and fairness,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said.

The prime minister, who held talks with Mr Xi on July 8 on the sidelines of BRICS and SCO summit in Russian city of Ufa, had conveyed his concerns to the Chinese leader over Beijing’s stance on the Lakhvi issue.

Earlier, a meeting was organised by the UN Sanctions Committee after India sought action against Pakistan over the release of Lakhvi in the Mumbai attacks, saying it was against the 1267 UN resolution that dealt with designated entities and individuals. During the meeting, China had blocked India’s appeal by saying that New Delhi presented insufficient evidence.

On July 2, Deputy Director General of the Asian Affairs Department of Chinese Foreign Ministry Huang Xilian had said that the two countries could discuss Lakhvi’s issue in the India-China joint mechanism on terrorism to be held later this year.

However, following their talks, India’s Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar said, “There is no particular mechanism. The MEA can discuss with the Embassy (Chinese). There are a range of mechanisms.”

Ms Hua, However, termed the Modi-Xi talks in Russia as “constructive and inclusive”, and underlined that China has maintained good communication with India over the Lakhvi issue as not only India but China has also been victims of terrorism.