Swaraj meets Chinese counterpart Wang, raises Lakhvi issue

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Thursday raised the issue of China blocking India’s move, seeking action against Pakistan over releasing 26/11 mastermind Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi in the United Nations (UN), with her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi. Swaraj said it was at “variance” with progress in ties with China.

In a meeting held on the sidelines of an International Donors’ Conference in Kathmandu, Swaraj apprised Yi that Lakhvi was “no ordinary terrorist” as he had masterminded the Mumbai terror attack, in which more than 166 people lost their lives.

“The External Affairs Minister raised the issue of Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi on the stand that China has taken on this matter in the United Nations 1267 committee. She said both India and China have been victims of terrorism, <g data-gr-id="55">and</g> therefore, no distinction should be made between good terrorists and bad terrorists,” said Vikas Swarup, spokesperson, External Affairs Ministry.

He added: “She said China’s stand on the matter appears to be at variance with the excellent progress otherwise being achieved in the India-China relations.”

Swaroop said Yi has assured Swaraj that China opposes all forms of terrorism and that he will look into the matter. “He (Yi) assured that there was no reason why India and China could not cooperate more closely on anti-terrorism efforts,” he said.

In a meeting of the UN Sanctions Committee, India had sought action against Pakistan for releasing Lakhvi in the 26/11 trial in violation of a UN resolution, but the Chinese representatives blocked the move on grounds that New Delhi did not provide sufficient information.

Lakhvi was released from a Pakistani jail in April. The UN Sanctions Committee met at India’s request last week.

In a letter to the current Chair of the UN Sanctions Committee Jim McLay, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Asoke Mukherjee had last month said that Lakhvi’s <g data-gr-id="57">release</g> by a Pakistani court was in violation of the 1267 UN resolution, dealing with designated entities and individuals. The sanctions measures apply to designated individuals and entities associated with terror groups, including Al-Qaeda and LeT, wherever located. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier taken up the issue with the Chinese leadership, expressing India’s concerns over China blocking its move for action against Pakistan over Lakhvi’s release in the UN.

Lakhvi (55), a relative of LeT founder and Jamaat-<g data-gr-id="51">ud</g> Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed, was arrested in December 2008 and was indicted along with six others on November 25, 2009, in connection with the 26/11 terror attack.

A Pakistani court had on April 9, 2015, set free Lakhvi, a development which India said “eroded” the value of assurances repeatedly conveyed to it by Pakistan on cross-border terrorism.

Quoting Swaraj’s meeting with Yi “very good”, Swarup said a number of important issues were discussed, including how India and China could strengthen their coordination on <g data-gr-id="47">reconstruction</g> effort in quake-ravaged Nepal.

“There was a very good discussion on Prime Minister’s path-breaking visit to China, where it was acknowledged that it had not only helped strengthen government-to-government coordination, but also significantly improved people-to-people relations,” he said. 

Swarup added that the Foreign Ministers also talked about the opening of the Nathu-La route for the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage. Swaraj thanked the Chinese leadership for opening the route.

Swaraj and Yi were in Kathmandu to participate in the International Conference on Nepal’s Reconstruction, organised by Nepal to raise funds for rebuilding the country, devastated by a high-magnitude earthquake on April 25 this year. Swaraj also met the Foreign Minister of Norway.