Terrorism is not country-specific problem: Rajnath to Beijing.
India on Tuesday asked China to support international efforts to designate JeM chief Masood Azhar as a terrorist under a UN resolution, help nab ULFA chief Paresh Barua and curb fake Indian currency notes.
Union home minister Rajnath Singh conveyed this to Chinese politburo member and secretary of Central Political and Legal Affairs Committee Meng Jianzhu here Tuesday night.
China has twice blocked India’s efforts to include Azhar, alleged mastermind of the terror attacks on Pathankot air base and an Army camp in Uri, on the UN’s sanctions list containing names of individuals and groups linked to the Al Qaeda or Islamic State. Mr Jianzhu’s visit comes close on the heels of national security advisor Ajit Doval meeting his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiech in Hyderabad on Friday. Sources said following the meeting of two NSAs China’s response now appears to be positive and they were expecting some forward movement on the issue in the days ahead.
Pointing out that there can be no good or bad terrorist, the home minister said terrorism is not one or another country’s problem, rather it is a threat to global peace and security.
The home minister also solicited Beijing’s support to flush out Ulfa leader Paresh Barua, who is believed to be taking refuge in the trijunction between India, Myanmar and China, to face trial in India for heinous crimes including murder.
Mr Singh also asked China to clamp down on arms smuggling to insurgent groups operating in India’s Northeast, a home ministry official said.
Mr Jianzhu, who is on a two-day visit to India, is expected to meet the Prime Minister and NSA Doval on Wednesday.
Referring to the recent arrest of a Pakistani national in Guangzhou with fake Indian currency, Mr Singh asked Beijing to clamp down on Pakistan’s nefarious designs to smuggle fake Indian currency into India through China.
The two sides will have delegation level talks with senior officials of the home ministry and important security agencies on Wednesday where some other issues like China issuing stapled visa to residents of Arunachal Pradesh and supply of arms to insurgent groups in Northeast through China will also be discussed.
During the meeting of the Chinese side with home ministry officials on Wednesday the two sides are also likely to reach an understanding on some other issues related to internal security. Most of these will be regarding dealing with white collar and cyber related crimes.
-"We are trying to reach an understanding on the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty between the two countries but some issues still need to be finalised. If the Treaty is not finalised during this visit of Mr Jianzhu it would be formalised shortly,’’ a senior Government official said. However, both sides are expected to reach an understanding on enhanced co-operation on criminals as well as terror related cases though this would largely be limited to a bilateral and reciprocal arrangement. It is unlikely, sources added, that China could give a categorical assurance on supporting India at a multilateral forum on terror issues, particularly when Pakistan is involved.
Sources said if China raises the issue of the Dalai Lama’s proposed visit to Arunachal Pradesh, India will tell the Chinese side that the Tibetan spiritual leader is a guest and he is free to visit anywhere in India.
