China again sides with Pakistan, blocks UN move to ban Masood Azhar

NEW DELHI: Our Political Bureau New Delhi: China on Friday prevented India from accomplishing a crucial goal at the United Nations: getting Maulana Masood Azhar, chief of Jaish-e-Mohammed, declared a terrorist. MEA reacted sharply, stating: “(the) Chinese action confirms the prevalence of double standards in the fight against terrorism.”

“We note with concern China’s decision to block the proposal to list Masood Azhar as a designated terrorist under the 1267 Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council which had been presented nine months ago and had received the strong backing of all other members of t h e Committee,” MEA Spokesperson Vikas Swarup asserted.

“The inability of the international community to list its leader Masood Azhar is an unfortunate blow to the concerted efforts to effectively counter all forms of terrorism, and confirms prevalence of double standards in the fight against terrorism,” rued Swarup.


The decision by China came on the eve of expiry of deadline on its technical hold against resolution on Azhar. India had expected that China would take cognizance of recent NIA charge sheet against Azhar’s role in Pathankot terror strikes. The NIA’s charge sheet against Azhar came just 12 days before the expiry of the “technical hold”.

In April India made a fresh attempt to get the JeM chief designated as an international terrorist by a UN panel. All individuals and entities listed by the 1267/1989/2253 ISIL (Da’esh) and Al Qaida Sanctions Committee of the UN are subjected to international sanctions, including travel restrictions and measures curbing financial transactions.

Beijing, however, blocked the move. It was only due to China’s opposition that the UN panel had to put India’s plea on a “technical hold” for six months. Senior Indian officials had described this move as a hidden veto by China.

China – only one out of the five permanent members of the Security Council – later also managed to get the “technical hold” extended by three months beginning October 1, notwithstanding the counter-terror dialogue it had with India in Beijing. Chinese officials have been maintaining that India should discuss the issue with Pakistan where Azhar is based.

What it has done on Friday is exercise its veto, so Beijing’s objections are no longer temporary or subject to a search for more details of India’s request. The matter has now gone into cold storage till a fresh listing request is made by an UN member.

The Jaish-e-Mohammed has already been blacklisted by the 15-nation UN Security Council, but not its leader, Maulana Masood Azhar. China’s blocking of India’s move is an international and significant show of support for its long-time ally Pakistan.

This decision by China is surprising as China herself has been affected by the scourge of terrorism and has declared opposition to all forms of terrorism, noted Swarup adding as “a consequence of this decision, the UN Security Council has again been prevented from acting against the leader of a listed terrorist organisation. “