Russia backs French, US, UK move in UNSC against Masood Azhar

Russia has extended full support to the France-USA-UK initiative in the United Nations Security Council to include Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar on its sanctions list.

Russia is understood to have conveyed to India its decision to support the P-3 proposal moved last week in UNSC to list Azhar under UN sanctions, covered by Security Council resolution 12 67, which includes freezing of assets and travel ban, people familiar with the development told ET.

Moscow had moved swiftly to support India’s right to self defence through President Vladimir Putin’s letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi a day after the Pulwama terror attack. Subsequently, the two leaders spoke after the air strikes in Balakot and sought to strengthen counter terror partnership.