China blocks UN move to list Masood Azhar as global terrorist for fourth time

China has for the fourth time stopped a proposal at the United Nations Security Council to designate Masood Azhar, chief of the terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed, as a global terrorist. With China’s veto the proposal lapsed.

China’s position and India’s evidence

According to sources, China maintains there is no established link between Masood Azhar and Jaish-e-Mohammed and argues that there was no earlier evidence against him. India is reported to have submitted tapes and a dossier to the Security Council to show the connection, and to have shared material relating to the Pulwama terror attack with the United States and France so that evidence could be placed before the UN. This time India cited more than twenty pieces of evidence, but China said India’s case should first be examined.

The proposal had been moved by the United States, France and Britain, and India had strong American backing. China, a permanent member of the Council, had used a technical hold in all the earlier attempts too. According to the report, a proposal against Azhar had been brought four times in the past 10 years, since the Pathankot attack.

India’s response

After the move failed, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said there would be no talks with Pakistan unless it acted against terrorists. The report noted that Azhar has long been sought by India in connection with a string of attacks, from the assault on Parliament to Pathankot, Uri and Pulwama.

Background

The Pulwama attack took place on 14 February 2019, and the Indian Air Force carried out a strike at Balakot on 26 February 2019.

See also: election news.

Originally published on 14 March 2019. Rewritten on 9 October 2026.

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