CHINA SAYS WON’T LET MASOOD AZHAR BE LISTED AS A TERRORIST
BEIJING: China indicated on Tuesday it will continue blocking efforts to list Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist despite Indian concerns, a day after the two sides signed their first security cooperation pact aimed at combating terrorism.
The foreign ministry was also dismissive about the status of ULFA chief Paresh Baruah, who is believed to have a base in China.
Several moves by India and other countries over the past few years to sanction Azhar at the UN Security Council have been blocked by China, a veto-wielding permanent member of the body, with observers saying it was acting to save its “all-weather ally” Pakistan from embarrassment.
Despite the signing of the security cooperation agreement in New Delhi on Monday by home minister Rajnath Singh and China’s visiting minister of public security Zhao Kezhi, sharp differences clearly remain on certain issues.
Responding to a question on Azhar at a news briefing on Tuesday, the foreign ministry indicated the proof collected against the Pakistan-based terror suspect did not merit a listing.
“In the counter-terrorism issue, China has always actively participated in international anti-terrorist operations. We have always made our decisions and judgments on the merits of the matter itself. We will continue to step up the security cooperation to uphold regional peace and stability with parties,” ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said.
On Baruah and allegations that China supplies weapons to insurgents in northeast India, Hua was dismissive.