New Delhi: India’s hopes of Masood Azhar, Chief of terror group Jaish-e-Mohommed blacklisted as a terrorist has met failure. Thanks to the double-standards of China that foiled India’s crucial goal at the United Nations.
The Foreign Ministry reacted sharply, stating “(the) Chinese action confirms the prevalence of double standards in the fight against terrorism.”
In April, China placed on hold India’s request to add Azhar to the United Nations’ al Qaeda-Islamic State blacklist. In October, it extended the “technical hold” which was to expire today. What it did yesterday was exercise its veto, so Beijing’s objections are no longer temporary or subject to a search for more details of India’s request.
The Jaish-e-Mohammed has already been blacklisted by the 15-nation Security Council, but not its leader, Maulana Masood Azhar. China’s blocking of India’s move is an international and significant show of support for its long-time ally Pakistan.
India has accused the Jaish-e-Mohammed of the deadly terror attack in January on the Pathankot air force base in which seven military personnel were killed. However, Pakistani security officials have said that a special investigation team set up to probe the Pathankot attack found no evidence implicating Azhar.
If the 48-year-old was blacklisted by the UN Security Council, he would face a global travel ban and asset freeze.
Beijing’s stand on Azhar has been an acute stress point on India-China relations this year.
