Disappointed over China blocking proposal on Masood Azhar at UNSC: Ex envoy Gautam Bambawale

Former Indian Ambassador to China, Gautam Bambawale, on Thursday said that it is disappointing that China blocked the listing of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist at United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

Talking to ANI, Bambawale said, "We are disappointed that China for a fourth time blocked listing of Masood Azhar at UNSC, under 1267 sanctions. It's quite obvious that China is doing this as they've said they do not have enough information about Masood Azhar."

He said China must have factored in the diplomatic cost for taking the step.

The former envoy said, "China must have factored in that there is a diplomatic cost of taking this step. If China opposes terrorism, it must allow this listing to go ahead. We must continue to work with China to convince them to remove the hold."

China on Wednesday blocked a proposal in the UN Security Council to enlist Azhar as a global terrorist.

This is the fourth time that China has used the technical hold to block the proposal, which was being pushed by the US, the UK and France.

India expressed disappointment over the development but vowed to continue to pursue "all available avenues to ensure that terrorist leaders who are involved in heinous attacks on our citizens" are brought to justice.

The US also said that the failure to designate Azhar as a global terrorist "runs counter" to Washington and Beijing's goal of regional stability and peace. 0

JeM, a Pakistan-based terror outfit headed by Azhar, had carried out the Pulwama attack on February 14 in which 40 personnel of CRPF were killed.