MEA responds to China blocking India's bid to sanction Masood Azhar again

China's decision to once again block the proposal to list Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) chief Masood Azhar as a designated terrorist under the "1267 regime" has triggered a sharp reaction from India.

China, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, had blocked India's move with a six-month technical hold followed by a three- month extension. Officials here say that India may have to apply again to the 1267 Committee with charge sheet details to press for its case as its present application will lapse following Beijing's two technical holds.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Vikas Swarup termed Beijing's decision as an "unfortunate blow" and a step that confirms the prevalence of double standards in the fight against terrorism.

India had approached the UN in February to include Azhar (for his link with al Qaeda) in the UN Security Council's 1267 sanctions list in the aftermath of the January 2 terror attack on the Pathankot air base by JeM terrorists. The resolution will now go into cold storage, till a fresh listing is demanded by a UN Security Council member.

He said that the international community is aware that JeM, which is proscribed by the UN, has been responsible for innumerable terrorist attacks on India, including the one on Pathankot air base. "The inability of the international community to list its leader Masood Azhar is an unfortunate blow to the concerted efforts to effectively counter all forms of terrorism, and confirms the prevalence of double standards in the fight against terrorism," he said.

Swarup further said that China's decision is surprising as it has been affected by the scourge of terrorism and has declared opposition to all forms of terrorism. "As a consequence of this decision, the UN Security Council has again been prevented from acting against the leader of a listed terrorist organisation," he added. India had expected China to be more understanding of the danger posed to all by terrorism and join India and others in fighting the common challenge of terrorism.

Earlier also, India had expressed anger at the working methods at the UNSC, which is based on the principles of unanimity. Following the attack on US embassies in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam by al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and other associated groups in 1999, the Security Council passed a resolution known as "Resolution 1267" or "1267 Regime" under Article 41 of the UN, which established a sanction regime to cover individuals and entities associated with al Qaeda, Laden and/or the Taliban.

The 1267 Resolution reads as follows: "The Security Council may decide what measures, not involving armed forces, are to be employed to give effect to its decisions, and it may call upon the members of the United Nations to apply such measures. These may include complete or partial interruption of economic relations and of rail, sea, air, postal, telegraphic, radio, and other means of communication, and the severance of diplomatic relations."

The resolution requires countries to immediately freeze funds, financial assets or economic resources of individuals and entities designated by the UNSC with terrorism and terrorist financing.

China was the only member in the 15-nation UN body to put a hold on India's application.