NEW DELHI: China said on Friday it was in “close communication” with India over its decision to block New Delhi’s bid to have Jaish-e-Mohammed’s (JeM) chief Masood Azhar designated as terrorist by the UN, Press Trust of India reported from Beijing.
“China is opposed to all forms of terrorism and is willing to step up pragmatic cooperation with all countries,” foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei told reporters in Beijing.
When asked about Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar’s remarks that India has taken up Azhar’s ban issue with China, Hong said: “On anti-terrorism we always act based on facts and in accordance with rules and regulations of UN to deal with the listing in the 1267 sanctions committee. We always keep in close communication with all the countries including India on this issue,” he said.
Jaishankar this week said that India had taken up at a “fairly high level” with China the issue of Beijing blocking its bid to have Azhar designated as terrorist by the UN.
Last week, China stopped UN sanctions committee from designating Azhar as terrorist, maintaining that the case “did not meet the requirements” of Security Council.
PTI said this was not the first time China has blocked India’s bid to get Pakistan-based militant groups and leaders proscribed by the UN.
“The UN had banned the JeM in 2001 but India’s efforts for slapping sanctions on Azhar after the 2008 Mumbai terror attack did not fructify as China, that has veto powers, did not allow it, apparently at the behest of Pakistan again,” PTI said.
Published in Dawn, April 9th, 2016
