China has initiated criminal proceedings against five locals suspected for the torture of two Indian businessmen. Bejing had promised to address the issue and give due attention to the safety of Indian nationals on its soil.

The assurance was given by Chinese Ambassador Zhang Yan when he met Joint Secretary (East Asia) Gautam Bambawale in the External Affairs Ministry this afternoon.

Official sources said that the envoy made it clear that serious attention is being given to the issue related to the two businessmen and hoped that it would be resolved as quickly as possible. The Ambassador also assured the MEA that due attention was being given to the safety of Indian nationals and businessmen.

Two Indian nationals Shyamsunder Agarwal and Deepak Raheja have complained of ill-treatment ever since they were kidnapped on the 15th of December by some local people.