US drafts resolution to blacklist Masood Azhar at UN to counter China

NEW DELHI: The US circulated a draft resolution in the UN Security Council on Wednesday, proposing to blacklist Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist after China stalled a proposal initiated by France under the 1267 Sanctions Committee.

The US resolution condemns the Pulwama suicide bombing, for which the JeM claimed responsibility, and recommends that Azhar be added to the UN Al-Qaeda and Islamic State sanctions blacklist.

The draft resolution is backed by France and Britain, which joined the US earlier this month in pushing for sanctions against Azhar in the Al-Qaeda and Islamic State committees. Russia also supported the earlier move to ban Azhar.


“We are aware that a draft has been initiated for consideration of the Council members to list Masood Azhar in the sanctions regime as part of the international community’s efforts to fight against terrorism,” Indian government sources told ET. “It will not be appropriate for us to comment at this stage on a process which is entirely within the parameters of informal discussions of the Council and its members.” India’s views on Masood Azhar, the founder-leader of the JeM, which claimed responsibility for the attack on paramilitary forces in Pulwama on February 14, are “well known,” they said.