China to continue blocking ban on Masood Azhar

Chinese President Xi Jinping, after meeting US President Barack Obama on the sidelines of a nuclear summit, has said that nations must stand united against terrorism, but asserted that they would continue to block India's proposal to ban Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar.

Speaking to reporters at a joint media appearance with his US counterpart Barack Obama, Xi said the US and China have growing responsibilities for promoting peace and stability in the world.

In a major disappointment for India, China collaborated with Pakistan to block New Delhi's proposal to ban Masood Azhar.

Following the attack on the Indian Air Force Base in Pathankot killing seven Indian military personnel, India called on the United Nations for immediate action to list Azhar under the al-Qaida Sanctions Committee.

According to sources, 14 out of 15 countries were willing to designate Azhar but China alone decided to go against all the others in the bid.

The US, UK and France had strongly supported the move and the other nations had also expressed their consent to proceed with the action on Azhar.

But China, one of the five permanent members of the UN group with veto powers, collaborated with Pakistan to block the bid, sources add.

China is now the only country that has stood up for Masood Azhar more than once.