China At It Again: Hints to ‘block’ move to ban Masood Azhar, ahead of UNSC meet
Hours before the United Nations Security Council meet to designate Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief as a global terrorist on Wednesday, China hinted that it may once again block India’s move, saying only "the solution that is acceptable to all sides" is conducive to resolve the issue. The United Nation Security Council will be deciding the fate of Masood Azhar today.
The fate of proposal moved by India, along with other countries, including the US, to designate Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN Security Council will be out in less than 24 hours when the deadline to raise objections to the bid expires.
Reportedly, the proposal to designate Azhar under the 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council was moved by France, UK and the US on February 27.
"I could reiterate that China will continue to adopt a responsible attitude and participate in the deliberations in the UNSC 1267 Committee," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang told a media briefing here.
"First I want to clarify that I don't recall saying anything about the deadline about the UNSC committee and other UN subsidiary bodies," Lu said after asked to clarify whether Masood Azhar’s ban move has been listed or discussion for March 13 and China is in talks with all the parties concerned.
On the issue of listing Azhar, he said, "I want to say that China always adopts a responsible attitude, engage in consultations with various parties and properly deal with this issue."
"The discussions, I want to say must follow the rules and procedures of the relevant bodies and only the solution that is acceptable to all sides is conducive for resolving the issue," he said.
aish-e-Mohammed chief, Masood Azhar who is responsible for February 14 Pulwama attack will be banned if no objection is raised by any member state of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meet at the 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee today.
Masood Azhar, who heads terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed, which had carried out several terror attacks in India and was also involved in Parliament attack. Jaish was also involved in the Pathankot air force base, army camps in Jammu and Uri.
Jaish-e-Mohammed claimed the responsibility for the February 14 suicide attack on Central Reserve Police Force in south Kashmir’s Pulwama which claimed the lives of 40 personnel.
Also read: UNSC to decide fate of Jaish chief Masood Azhar; all eye on China
First published: 13 March 2019, 16:16 IST