Russia to back ‘ban Azhar’ proposal: Working on China for support

New Delhi: The Russian permanent mission in the United Nations has been authorised to support UNSC proposal to list Masood Azhar as a global terrorist and use its good offices with the Chinese mission to garner its support for 1267 Sanctions List.

There are hopes that Moscow would use its good offices with Beijing as the China remains the only permanent member to block proposal since 2011.

Russian ties with China have continued to grow after sanctions were imposed on Moscow during the Ukraine crisis.


Azhar, who fought the Soviets in Afghanistan, went on to join Harkat-ul-Ansar, and later established the JeM, which was banned as a terror organisation in Russia.

ET has learnt that India has been in touch with Russia over the key issue as part of their counter-terror partnership.

President Vladimir Putin’s had called and written to PM Modi in the aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack.

Meanwhile, India’s close strategic partner in east Asia, Japan, and Italy, with which relations have taken a positive turn since 2016, have decided to cosponsor the proposal which was moved by France and backed by the US and the UK.