India shares Mumbai terror attack proof with China

New Delhi, Jan 5 (PTI) India Monday shared with China
evidence about involvement of Pakistan-based elements in the
Mumbai terror attacks and urged Beijing to use its influence
with its ally Islamabad to cooperate on the issue.

Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon gave details of the
Mumbai attacks to Chinese Vice Foreign Minister He Yafei, who
has been sent here as a special envoy amid a chill in Indo-Pak
ties in the aftermath of the November 26 terror strikes.

During the two-hour-long meeting, Menon apprised He Yafei
about the evidence showing that 10 heavily-armed terrorists
were sent from Karachi to Mumbai to carry out attacks and that
the three-day-long operation was guided from Pakistan.

India has compiled a dossier of evidence which includes
confession of Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone terrorist arrested
during the attack, satellite phone intercepts and record of
logbooks recovered from a ship by which ten heavily armed
terrorists came from Karachi to Mumbai on November 26.

Menon is understood to have urged the Chinese minister
that his country should use its influence with Pakistan to
ensure that the perpetrators of the attacks are brought to
justice and that such strikes do not take place in the future.

He Yafei, who arrived here Sunday evening, suggested that
India and Pakistan should hold dialogue to resolve the issue.

"We had very good talks with the Foreign Secretary... We
got a full briefing from our (Indian) colleagues. We would
study them of course... We would see," He Yafei told reporters
after his meeting with Menon when asked about evidence.

He noted that India has already shared the evidence with
Pakistan.

"My visit here is to encourage both sides to find a way
out through dialogue and consultation.. it is the best way,"
the Chinese minister said while noting that he was here to
assess the situation and to encourage peace and stability in
the region.

He Yafei pointed out that he had travelled to Pakistan a
few days ago and "there is will on both sides to encourage and
find a way out through dialogue".

China is seeking to play a mediatory role in the midst of
the Indo-Pak chill. While New Delhi is not comfortable with
the mediation part, it wants Beijing to use its influence with
its ally Beijing to ensure end to cross-border terrorism.

Earlier, India had sought such cooperation from Saudi
Arabia, another close ally of Pakistan, in this direction.

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi had talked to
Mukherjee over phone a week ago during which the Indian leader
had told him about India having the evidence to show
involvement of Pakistan-based elements in the Mumbai attacks.

Yang, while agreeing that perpetrators of the attack
should be brought to justice, had advised that India and
Pakistan should hold dialogue for the benefit of the region.

Mukherjee urged the Chinese Foreign Minister to put
pressure on its ally Pakistan to act in a concrete manner so
that cross-border terrorism against India ends.

He Yafei said during his meeting with Menon, the two
sides also got a chance to discuss Sino-India ties and "what
we could do to further our excellent relationship."

"Our trade has exceeded USD 50 billion last year. We want
to break the record. We had set a target of USD 60 billion
trade by 2010, but would certainly accomplish the target
before time," he said. PTI