This is not the first time that China blocked Delhi’s attempt to list Azhar at the UNSC. In 2016, following the Pathankot attack, India forwarded a proposal to designate Azhar as a terrorist under the aegis of the UNSC 1267 committee, but China blocked it.
New Delhi: China has once again declined India’s plea to brand Jaish-e-Mohammad’s (JeM) commander Maulana Masood Azhar as a “global terrorist”. JeM has claimed responsibility for the Pulwama attack, on Thursday, which claimed at least 40 CRPF jawans' lives.
This is not the first time that China blocked Delhi’s attempt to list Azhar at the UNSC. In 2016, following the Pathankot attack, India forwarded a proposal to designate Azhar as a terrorist under the aegis of the UNSC 1267 committee. Taking Pakistan’s side, China placed a technical hold on India’s move twice, once in March 2016 and another time in October 2016.
In December 2016, China used its veto power to block the proposal.
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Not only India, the US, The UK and France also forwarded pleas to brand Azhar as “global terrorist” in 2017. However, the attempt of all the three countries was again blocked by China.
In 2008-09, after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, India made the attempt for the first time, but at that time also China had put a technical hold.
“After today’s attack, the Chinese prevarication on Masood Azhar reveals their dichotomous approach on terrorism, and it once again demonstrates that when it comes to terrorism, the Pakistani tail wags the Chinese dog,” former India diplomat Vivek Katju told The Indian Express.
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Katju was one of the negotiators during the IC-814 hijack and dealt with Pakistan.
Condemning the 2019 Pulwama attack, Beijing said, "China has noted the reports of suicide terrorist attack. We are deeply shocked by this attack. We express deep condolences and sympathy to the injured and bereaved families."
However, Chinese foreign ministry’s deputy director Geng Shuang said that there is a clear stipulation for the listing.
"As for the issue of listing, I could tell you that the 1267 Committee of Security Council has a clear stipulation on the listing and procedure of the terrorist organisations. JeM has been included in the UN Security Council terrorism sanctions list. China will continue to handle the relevant sanctions issue in a constructive and responsible manner,” he added.
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