Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday conveyed to his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping India’s ‘anger’ at China’s blocking of Delhi’s demand at the UN for action over Pakistan’s release of Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi.
“The issue of Lakhvi did come up and it was discussed in some detail,” Indian Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar said, according to Hindustan Times.
Regarding Xi’s response, Jasihankar said, “The prime minister made our concerns very clear. The Chinese side was impressed with the clarity with which the PM raised our concerns.”
Further, it is reported during Xi and Modi’s 90-minute meeting, Modi also reiterated India’s concern over the $46 billion China, Pakistan Economic Corridor.
The two counterparts also spoke about “accelerating the process” to resolve the long-standing boundary dispute and about India getting a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council and in export control regimes like the Nuclear Suppliers Group.
Last month, at the UN Sanctions Committee which met at India’s request to seek a clarification from Pakistan on Lakhvi’s release in the Mumbai attacks trial, China blocked the move on grounds that India did not provide sufficient information
Modi had voiced concerns over China’s move to veto the UN action against Pakistan for releasing alleged Mumbai terror mastermind Lakhvi.
India approached the UN last month against Lakhvi’s release in April from Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi. Lakhvi was formally released from Adiala Jail after he submitted surety bonds of Rs2 million, following the Lahore High Court (LHC) verdict declaring his detention orders illegal.
Lakhvi was arrested in 2008 after an FIR was registered against him based on the information provided by Indian authorities. On November 25, 2009, Lakhvi was indicted along with six others for planning and helping to carry out the Mumbai attacks. An anti-terrorism court granted him bail against Rs500,000 surety bonds on December 18, 2014. The same day, a local magistrate issued a detention order for one month. On December 29, 2014, Islamabad High Court set aside the detention order and directed the authorities to release him. The Okara DCO ordered his detention on March 12 under the Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance.
Earlier, Modi also met Russian President Vladimir Putin who told him India’s accession into the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) has begun.
Further, Modi is also expected to meet Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday.
