UNITED NATIONS: China blocked India's move in the United Nations calling for action against Pakistan over the release of alleged mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai attacks Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, said a report published on The Times of India.

As the UN sanctions committee met at India's request, a clarification was to be sought from Pakistan over Lakhvi's release, but China blocked the move on grounds that India did not provide adequate information, TOI quoted official sources as saying.

The move comes as both New Delhi and Beijing are seeking to improve ties, particularly border issues.

India had demanded of the UN to take action against Pakistan as her government had released Lakhvi. India has relentlessly sought him since the attacks killed over 160 persons, including several foreigners, causing international uproar and a diplomatic storm.

India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Asoke Mukherjee had written a letter to the UN sanctions committee, saying Lakhvi's release was in violation of the 1267 UN resolution dealing with designated entities and individuals.

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Earlier in April, Lakhvi was released from Adiala jail following the Lahore High Court's dismissal of detention orders issued against him by the Okara DCO on March 14.

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Lakhvi was among the seven persons charged with planning and helping carry out the 2008 Mumbai attacks. The six other men facing trial in Adiala Jail for their alleged involvement in Mumbai attacks are Hammad Amin Sadiq, Shahid Jamil Riaz, Younas Anjum, Jamil Ahmed, Mazhar Iqbal and Abdul Majid.

Pakistan’s foreign office had accused India over Lakhvi's release, saying that “inordinate delay in extending cooperation by India complicated the case and weakened the prosecution’s case.”