BEIJING: Defending its stand to block India's move in the UN that called for action against Pakistan on the release of Mumbai attack mastermind Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, China said its move was based on "facts" and in the spirit of "objectiveness and fairness", said a report published on The Times of India.
Speaking to reporters in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said: "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".
This statement came as a response to a question pertaining to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi taking up the issue during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, which took place on Wednesday on the sidelines of the BRICS — Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa — and Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in the Russian city of Ufa.
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.
The Indian Express earlier reported that Modi took up the issue regarding China's "technical hold" on India's move in the United Nations calling for action against Pakistan over the release of Lakhvi.
The two leaders held a 95-minute meeting ahead of the BRICS — Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa — and Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.
Following Lakhvi's release from a jail in Lahore in April, the UN sanctions committee had met at India's request last month during which 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.
Read: Lakhvi release: China blocks India move seeking action against Pakistan
While talking to reporters about Modi's meeting with the Chinese President, Indian Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar said: “The issue of Lakhvi did come up. Our Prime Minister raised our concerns on the issue and it was discussed in some detail…They will be taken up in the course of further discussions between the two countries.”
He added that Modi made India's concerns regarding Lakhvi "known very clearly". The foreign secretary further said: "the Chinese side was impressed by the clarity with which he conveyed our concerns on the issue".
"Every country knows Lakhvi’s role...We have to see how to take this forward,” Jaishankar said.
The Indian premier also shared his concerns pertaining to the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which will pass through Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
Also read: India’s objections to CPEC
During the meeting — which was their fifth this year — the two leaders also discussed border issues and the need to boost the process of holding talks regarding the boundary.
Spokesman for Indian Ministry of External Affairs Vikas Swarup quoted Modi as telling President Jinping: "Our fifth meeting in a year shows the depth of the India-China relationship". Late Wednesday, Modi also took to Twitter to share his views on the meeting.
Both leaders also discussed India’s quest of becoming a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and Nuclear Supplier Group (NSG).