CHINA Again Blocks UN Bid To Designate JeM Chief Azhar Global Terrorist

AS expected, India’s bid to designate Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed’s  chief Masood Azhar  as a global terrorist by the  multi-national  United  Nations  was  again foiled by  China  as in the  past. China on Wednesday put a technical hold on a proposal in the UN Security Council to ban him following the Pulwama terror attack. A diplomat at the UN said that China put a “technical hold”. The proposal was the fourth such bid at the UN in the last 10 years to list Azhar as a global terrorist. The proposal to designate Azhar under the 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council was moved by France, the UK and the US on February 27, days after a suicide bomber of the JeM killed 49 CRPF soldiers in Pulwama, leading to a flare-up in tensions between India and Pakistan. The move was supported by the United Nations, France, UK , Russia  and several other  nations .China had earlier put the same proposal on a technical hold  before finally terminating it. The hold can last  for a maximum  of nine months after which China can again use veto to formally block or terminate it. New Delhi has expressed disappointment over China scuttling the move again.AICC President Rahul Gandhi has taunted Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying he is scared of China despite hugging and entertaining President Xi Jinping.