Failure to designate JeM chief 'runs counter' to goal of regional stability, peace: US

The United States has said that the failure to designate Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist "runs counter" to Washington and China's goal of regional stability and peace.

"As UN Sanctions Committee deliberations are confidential, we don't comment on specific matters, but we will continue working with the Sanctions Committee to ensure that the designations list is updated and accurate," said a US Embassy spokesperson here on Thursday.

"With respect to China, the United States and China share a mutual interest in achieving regional stability and peace, and a failure to designate Azhar runs counter to this goal," the spokesperson further said.

US' observation comes close on the heels of China, in the United Nations Security Council, blocking the proposal of the United States, France, and the UK to put dreaded terrorist Masood Azhar on the UN terror blacklist.

JeM, a Pakistan-based terror outfit headed by Azhar, has carried out many deadly terror attacks in India including Pulwama terror attack on February 14 in which 40 jawans of CRPF were killed. JeM also carried out the attack on Parliament in 2001, and Punjab's Pathankot airbase in 2016.