External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Thursday raised with her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi China’s blocking of India’s move in the UN for action against Pakistan over 26/11 mastermind Zaki-ur-Rehman lakhvi’s release, saying it was at “variance” with progress in ties.
In the meeting, held on the sidelines of an international donors conference here, Swaraj told the Chinese Foreign Minister that lakhvi was “no ordinary terrorist” as he masterminded the Mumbai terror attack in which more than 166 people were killed.
“The External Affairs Minister raised the issue of Zaki-ur-Rehman lakhvi on the stand China has taken on this matter in the United Nations 1267 committee. She said both India and China have been victims of terrorism and therefore there should be no distinction made between good terrorists and bad terrorists,” External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said.
“She said China’s stand on the matter appears to be at variance with the excellent progress otherwise being achieved in India-China bilateral relationship,” Swarup said.
He said Wang assured Swaraj that China opposes all forms of terrorism and that he will look into the matter. “He (Wang) assured that there was no reason why India and China could not cooperate more closely on anti-terrorism efforts,” Swarup said.