- China has blocked India’s bid to designate Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar as a terrorist under the UNSC 1267 Sanctions Committee.It placed a technical hold on the resolution.This is the fourth time that China has blocked the resolution since 2009.
- The proposal to designate Masood Azhar was moved by France,UK and the US.It was moved after the Pulwama terror attack that was claimed by JeM.
- Listings in the UNSC takes place on the basis of consensus,which means any member can hold up a decision by raising an objection.China called for a hold on the listing,which delays any decision by another six months.
- According to experts,China has blocked the move as (a)China is considered as an ally of Pakistan (b)Pakistan’s support for China within groupings like the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and others like the Non-Aligned Movement where China has no representation (c)India’s growing proximity to the US that China definitely sees as a major challenge and (d)The economic considerations which include CPEC — the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor,which provides China with connectivity to west Asia.
- The UNSC 1267 Committee was established as a result of resolution 1267 (1999).If an individual or an organisation is included in the list, it leads to(a)countries to freeze the targeted group’s or individual’s assets (b)ban designated individuals from travelling and (c)prevent the supply of weapons, technology and other aid.
