India has once again raised the matter of banning Jaish-e-Muhammed chief Masood Azhar with the Chinese government even as the latter has blocked yet another attempt was made by the US at the United Nations.

This time US, UK and France had moved the UN Sanctions Committee 1267 to designate him as a terrorist of a blacklisted organisation Azhar is believed to have masterminded the Pathankot Air base attacks that took place in January last year, including several other terrorist attacks. He is based out of Pakistan.

“We have been informed of this development, the matter has been taken up with the Chinese government,” Vikas Swarup, Spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs said.

Last year China had twice blocked using the method of ‘technical hold’ on India’s attempt to designate as a terrorist by the UN Security Council. If China would have supported the move then all of Azhar’s assets would have been frozen and travel banned.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has already filed a chargesheet against Azhar for the Pathankot attacks.

China was the only country out of the 14-member countries that decided not to designate Azhar as a terrorist on December 30, citing disagreements among members over the issue and lack of evidence. Azhar is the alleged mastermind of the Pathankot air force base attack that took place in January last year, followed by Uri and Nagrota.

Azhar is also responsible for the Parliament terror attacks of 2001. This is not the first time China has blocked India’s application. It has done so several times before. China has proved to be an obstacle while taking action against other terrorists such as Hafiz Saeed and Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi.

Minister of State for External Affairs MJ Akbar had said China should hear the “voice of the world” and should not indulge in Pakistan’s “doubles standards” over the issue of fighting terror which is “self defeating and suicidal.” China, meanwhile, has refuted these claims and said it has only stood by the UN rules.

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