Beijing: China on Thursday blocked a US resolution seeking to declare Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar a global terrorist.
Due to lack of consensus at the UNSC committee, the application seeking a ban on Masood Azhar has been rejected, a Chinese Foreign Ministry official told IANS.
This is the second time Beijing has vetoed the proposal, which was first moved by India at the Al Qaida Sanctions Committee of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in March last year.
China did the same to a US proposal backed by France and the UK. It first blocked it in January and then put a technical hold for three months in August.
A new resolution will have to be moved now.
China has cited lack of consensus among the 15 members of the UNSC and no solid proof against the terrorist, who is accused by India of plotting a deadly attack on an Indian airbase in January 2016.
India says only China is not in favour of branding Azhar as an international terrorist.
The listing of Azhar has become a contentious issue between China and India. In September, China agreed to include Azhar’s outfit in a joint statement issued by BRICS members.
