China blocks Azhars listing as terrorist by UN; India miffed

In a rebuff to India, China today finally blocked its proposal to get Pakistan-based JeM chief and Pathankot mastermind Masood Azhar banned as terrorist by the UN, evoking a sharp reaction from New Delhi which accused it of “double standards” in dealing with terrorism.

Terming the action by China as “surprising”, External Affairs Ministry said it had expected China would have been more understanding of the danger posed to all by terrorism and would join India and others in fighting the common challenge of terrorism.

“We note with concern Chinas decision to block the proposal to list Masood Azhar,” India said, asserting that its proposal, submitted to the 15-member 1267 Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council in February, received the strong backing of all other members of the Committee.