China mum on support to India on extradition of terrorists

New Delhi, Jan 5 (PTI) China Monday ducked questions on
whether it supported India's demand for extradition from
Pakistan of terrorists involved in the Mumbai terror attacks.

On a day New Delhi shared with China evidence about
involvement of Pakistani-based elements in the November 26
Mumbai strikes, no comments were forthcoming when reporters
asked visiting Chinese Vice Foreign Minister He Yafei if
Beijing will pressurise Pakistan to hand over terrorists to
India.

But he did respond guardedly to a question on what China,
a close ally of Pakistan, could do to persuade Islamabad to
cooperate as far as cross-border terrorism is concerned.

"I travelled to Pakistan a few days ago. And I think
there is a will on both sides to engage and to find a way
through dialogue," he said.

Pressed further whether China is convinced that Pakistan
will take action on the evidence provided by India, He said,
"we got a thorough briefing from our colleagues and we will
study it. They (India) have already shared it wih Pakistan and
with other countries".

India's Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon gave details
of the attacks to He who has been sent here as a special envoy
amid a chill in Indo-Pak ties in the aftermath of the Mumbai
attacks.

The minister said China attached "great importance" to
its "strategic partnership" with India and that "our
relationship essentialy has progressed a lot in the past
year... and will be even better in 2009."

"It was a very good visit. I am very happy with my visit
Monday," He said, adding both the countries have to work
together in several areas, as "we have lot of global
challenges facing both India and China."

Referring to global meltdown, he said, "there
is all the more reason for us to have closer economic
cooperation. PTI