Top

China blocks UN ban on JeM chief Masood Azhar

India is likely to continue its efforts to persuade China, sources said.

New Delhi: In a rebuff to India, China on Friday finally blocked its proposal to get Pakistan-based JeM chief and Pathankot mastermind Masood Azhar banned as terrorist by the United Nations.

The move triggered a sharp reaction from New Delhi which termed it as “unfortunate blow” and a step that confirms prevalence of double standards in the fight against terrorism.

New Delhi also said it is concerned at the “surprising” Chinese decision and that it had expected Beijing to be “more understanding” of the need to tackle the scourge of terrorism.

Sources said that though India is extremely unhappy, it is unlikely to escalate the situation since it does not want Sino-Indian ties to be held hostage to the Masood Azhar issue.

In fact, while the Indian reaction to the developments highlighted its disappointment, New Delhi did not launch a strong frontal attack on Beijing, leaving the door open for further parleys. India is likely to continue its efforts to persuade China, sources said.

Beijing, however, is unlikely to oblige New Delhi even in the future since it has made huge investments on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and is completely backing Islamabad.

If India wants to try again, it has to place a fresh proposal before the United Nations but there appears to be scepticism in Indian Government circles about the wisdom of immediately going in for such a move.

( Source : Deccan Chronicle. )
Next Story