China today said its technical hold on India’s move to get Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar designated a terrorist by the United Nations has been extended, days before the expiry of the hold.
The Chinese technical hold was set to lapse on Monday, and had China not raised further objection, the resolution designating Azhar as a terrorist could stand passed automatically. The hold has been extended for another six months.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told news agency PTI in Beijing that there are still different views on India’s listing application submitted to the 1267 committee in March this year .
The spokesman said, the extended technical hold on it will allow more time for the Committee to deliberate on the matter and for relevant parties to have further consultations.
On March 31 this year, China, a veto-wielding permanent member of the UN Security Council, had blocked India’s move to put a ban on the Jaish-e-Mohammed leader and Pathankot attack mastermind under the Sanctions Committee of the Council.