China reviewing policy on Mumbai attack ahead of Xi visit to Pakistan

BEIJING: China is reviewing its approach towards the 2008 Mumbai terror attack carried out by Pakistani terrorists. It feels “awkward” about its own neutral stance, which has caused grave dissatisfaction in India. The revelation came from a Chinese think tank focussed on South Asia ahead of president Xi Jinping’s planned visit to Pakistan, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi upcoming tour of China next month. Pakistani media has said Xi will be visiting Islamabad on April 20. “China also feels quite awkward. It does not mean China is sympathizing with terrorist attacks. It is awkward diplomatically. It needs to handle this ticklish issue in a more diplomatic way,” Hu Shisheng, director of the government-run Institute of South Asia, South East Asia and Oceanic Affairs, which is part of the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations, said. There are signs China might advise Pakistan to take a more sensible approach in dealing with Lashkar-e-Taiba operative Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi, a prime accused in the Mumbai attack case, who was releases from a jail in Pakistan. India, US and France has opposed it but China has kept quiet.