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China firmly with India on terror

NEW DELHI: India on Monday shared with China material about the involvement of elements in Pakistan in the Mumbai terror attacks and urged it to influence Islamabad to cooperate in bringing the culprits to book.

Besides discussing bilateral issues, Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon provided dossiers on phone intercepts between the terrorists and their handlers, material recovered from the abandoned boat and the bodies of terrorists besides other details to visiting Chinese Vice Foreign Minister He Yafei.

“We shared some material. There was no denial that there is terrorism and it is coming out of Pakistan. China described India as a strategic partner and Pakistan as close and very important for China. But it is clear that on terrorism China stands very firmly with us,” Mr. Menon said.

The two sides also noted the interaction on cooperation-related issues and resolved to make sure that the Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism worked more effectively.

Mr. He wanted India and Pakistan to resolve the issue through dialogue and assured New Delhi that Beijing would sift through the material provided by it.

“We had very good talks with the Foreign Secretary ... We got a full briefing from our [Indian] colleagues. We would study them [the evidence] of course ... We would see. My visit here is to encourage both sides to find a way out through dialogue and consultation … it is the best way,” he told journalists.

Mr. He, who visited Pakistan 10 days ago, noted that his interaction with both nations showed they had the will to find a way out through talks.

On trade, he said the figure of $ 50 billion was exceeded last year and both sides hoped to increase it to $ 60 billion by 2010.

India has been in touch with Pakistan’s allies — the U.S., China and Saudi Arabia — and urged them to ensure that Islamabad fulfils its international obligation of bringing the terrorists to book.

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