China blocks UN from designating Masood Azhar a global terrorist: India says it is 'disappointed'

India reacted sharply to China again blocking Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar’s designation as a global terrorist by the UN, saying “accommodating with terrorism” for narrow objectives was both short-sighted and counterproductive, according to PTI. External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar, in a strongly-worded statement, said, “We are deeply disappointed that once again, a single country has blocked international consensus on the designation of an acknowledged terrorist and leader of UN-designated terrorist organisation, Masood Azhar.” However, the statement did not name China. India strongly believes that “double standards” and “selective approaches” will only undermine the international community’s resolve to combat terrorism, Kumar said. “We can only hope that there will be a realisation that accommodating with terrorism for narrow objectives is both short-sighted and counterproductive,” he asserted. China, for the fourth time, blocked the bid to list Pathankot terror attack mastermind Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN, saying “there is no consensus” within the members of the sanctions committee. A veto-wielding permanent member of the Security Council, China has repeatedly blocked India, the US and other nations’ bid to put a ban on the JeM chief under the Al-Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the Council. China’s foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said last month there were clear rules for listing a person or group as a terrorist, and that China has always believed the relevant UN committee should operate on the principles of objectivity, reported Reuters. The wrangling over Masood Azhar, a longtime Indian foe, has become a thorny issue in ties between China and India. India worries that China will stick by its “all-weather” friend, India’s arch-foe Pakistan. With inputs from agencies