China again blocks UN proposal to sanction JeM chief Azhar
What's the story
China has once again vetoed a US-backed resolution at the UN Security Council (UNSC) to sanction Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) chief Masood Azhar.
The Chinese foreign minister said there was "absence of consensus" among UNSC member countries to designate Azhar an international terrorist.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has expressed deep disappointment at China's repeated blocking of Azhar's terror designation at Pakistan's behest.
Indian statement
India accuses China of "double standards," calls Beijing "short-sighted"
"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 organization, Masood Azhar," said MEA spokesman Raveesh Kumar.
"India strongly believes that double standards and selective approaches will only undermine the international community's resolve to combat terrorist," he added.
It also called China's "narrow objectives" on terrorism "short-sighted."
Details
China was only UNSC member to oppose US-backed resolution
An official told PTI that 14 out of 15 UNSC member countries supported the US-backed resolution on Azhar's terror designation.
China was the only country to oppose it. If China hadn't blocked it, the resolution would've been adopted, the official added.
This raises questions about China's claim that the resolution lacked consensus.
China also said there wasn't "solid proof" against Azhar's terrorist activities.
Analysis
China's anti-terror commitments are empty rhetoric
China's inability to act against Azhar comes months after the BRICS (Brazil, Russian, India, China and South Africa) countries named Pakistan-based terror groups, including the JeM, in a joint declaration condemning terrorism.
China's latest actions, at Pakistan's behest, can be seen as a massive U-turn in its supposed commitment towards fighting terrorism.
If anything, it shows that China's anti-terrorism commitments are nothing but rhetoric.