Masood Azhar ban: As China shows ‘positive progress’, UNSC may blacklist JeM chief today

India is pushing hard to designate Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist at the United Nations Security Council. In a major diplomatic win for India, China, who had blocked its way to banning Masood Azhar, has shown the positive response for the same.

According to India Today reports, closed sources have told that the UNSSc 1267 Al-Qaeda Sanctions Committee as China is ready to lift its hold, placed on March 13 on the move by the US, UK and France.

If it happens than It will be a big diplomatic win for India, which has been pushing for Azhar’s listing for years. India’s effort to ban Azhar by its diplomatic relations and negotiations between USA, UK and France with China at the UNSC is leading to a fruitful outcome against the Pulwama attack mastermind in which 40 CRPF soldiers were killed in J&K.

"This was low cost, low key, below the radar, but a persistent effort", said an official.

On Masood Azhar’s listing, China has also provided indications that it "supports the issue of listing" and there has been "positive progress" in the matter.

"China supports the issue of listing, which should be resolved through political consultation within the framework of the 1267 Committee. That is also the consensus of the overwhelming majority of the members of the Council. At present, the relevant consultations are underway in the 1267 Committee. And positive progress has been made. We believe in the joint efforts of all parties. This problem can be properly solved," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson.