China Stands Ground on Blocking India’s Bid to Ban Masood Azhar

China blocked India’s bid to brand JeM chief Masood Azhar a terrorist and has repeatedly defended the decision.

PM Modi and Chinese Premiere Xi in Chian last year (left), Jaish-e-Masood Chief Masood Azhar. (Photo: PIB/Reuters)

Sticking to its guns, China again justified its decision to block India’s bid to get JeM chief Masood Azhar designated as a terrorist by the UN and described its stance as “fair and based on facts”.

China always deals with the listing of 1267 committee based on facts and pursuant to UN Security Council resolutions and relevant rules in a fair manner.

Chinese Foreign Ministry

The Chinese ministry was speaking in response to India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Syed Akbaruddin’s criticism of “hidden veto” in dealing with the listing of terrorist outfits and their leaders.

Also read: India Slams Use of ‘Hidden Veto’ After China Blocks Ban on Azhar

We have noticed the remarks by India’s Permanent Representative to the UN. Both China and India fall victim to terrorism and share similar positions when it comes to combating terrorism.

Chinese Foreign Ministry

In an open debate on ‘Threats to International Peace and Security Caused by Terrorist Acts’, Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin told the UN Security Council had said;

The procedures of unanimity and anonymity of the Al Qaeda, Taliban and ISIS Sanctions Committees need to be revisited. The procedures of unanimity and anonymity result in a lack of accountability.

China is one of the five veto-wielding members of the UNSC which plays a leading role in banning terrorist outfits.

China Repeatedly Defends Blocking India’s Bid

The ministry reiterated its support to the UN as the leader in international anti-terrorism cooperation and claimed an “active part of China in international anti-terrorism cooperation”.

However, this is the second time that China has defended the decision to put a technical hold on India’s bid to ban Azhar, the mastermind of the 2 January Pathankot terrorist attack.

Also read: China Blocks India’s Bid at UN to Ban JeM Chief Masood Azhar

On 1 April, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said China dealt with the issues under the UNSC anti-terrorism committee based on “facts and relevant rules of procedures in objective and just manner”.

China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei the Ministry of Foreign Affairs office in Beijing, Tuesday, 5 April 2016. (Photo: AP)

India-China Face-to-Face

While External Affairs Minster Sushma Swaraj is set to meet her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi at the Russia, India, China (RIC) Foreign Ministers meeting in Moscow on 18 April, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar began his first visit to China on Saturday.

The latest response comes in the backdrop of India taking up the issue directly with China.

China too acknowledged that it is in touch with New Delhi on this issue indicating that its position remained unchanged.

The deadlock over the issue continued as both the countries are set for high-level engagements to discuss the state of bilateral ties.

(With inputs from PTI)