Hong Kong can take decision on Nirav Modi's arrest: China

Hong Kong can accede to India's request to arrest fugitive Indian diamond merchant Nirav Modi based on local laws and mutual judicial assistance agreements, China said on Monday.

"If India makes relevant request to the HKSAR, we believe the HKSAR will follow the basic law and relevant laws and under relevant judicial agreements with India with the relevant issue," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told a media briefing in Beijing.

The Indian Government had sought the “provisional arrest” of Modi by the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

"The ministry has sought the provisional arrest of Nirav Deepak Modi by the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), the People's Republic of China," Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh informed Parliament during the Budget Session last week.

"according to the one country two systems and basic law of the HKSAR, under the assistance and authorisation of the central government, the HKSAR can make proper arrangement on judicial mutual assistance with other countries," the Chinese spokesman said.

Modi is wanted in connection with the Punjab National Bank’s Rs 12,700-crore scam. He is reportedly in Hong Kong, where he has his shop besides in Beijing.

(With inputs from PTI)