Lakhvi's release not good for world, France tells Modi

PARIS: Terming the release of Mumbai attack mastermind Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi by Pakistan as "unfortunate", France on Friday said the development was not good for either India or the world.

The issue came up when Prime Minister Narendra Modi met a delegation of French lawmakers, led by national assembly president Claude Bartolone.

"One of the members of the French delegation said the unfortunate release of Lakhvi in Pakistan was not good news for either India or the world," external affairs ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin told reporters while briefing on the meeting.

"The French side expressed solidarity with India on this," he added.

File photo of Zaki-ur-Rahman Lakhvi, the main suspect of the Mumbai terror attacks in 2008, raises his fist after his court appearance in Islamabad, Pakistan. (AP Photo)

LeT operations commander Lakhvi was released from a Pakistani jail after spending nearly six years in detention.

The issue of Lakhvi's release came up in the context of discussions on cooperation in anti-terrorism and counter-terrorism, Akbaruddin said.

Responding to the French side's view, Modi told the lawmakers that the "concern you showed for India and the anguish you displayed indicates commonality of views".

President of the French national assembly Claude Bartolone (C) meets with India's prime minister Narendra Modi (3R) at the Hotel de Lassay in Paris. (AFP Photo)

He said India and France have common approach towards terrorism.

The Prime Minister recalled that whenever France faced any terror attack, the whole of India was worked up and there was a reciprocal response from France.

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