India to deal patiently with China on Azhar UN terror tag
Observers noticed that the statement was relatively mildly-worded and did not lash out at China.
New Delhi: Despite being disappointed at China’s persistent blocking of the UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions to designate Pakistan-based terrorist Masood Azhar as a global terrorist, India will show patience and be prepared for the long haul, government sources said on Saturday.
Without elaborating, sources also said there are issues that China needs to resolve with Pakistan and that India is not looking to do any deal with China to get Azhar banned by the UN.
Sources further said India will interact directly with China on this matter in future as well and that New Delhi does not require any other country to intercede with Beijing on its behalf. Government sources also said that India would not rest till the UN takes action against Azhar.
Government sources pointed out that 14 out of the 15 UNSC members as well as the entire international community is with India on the issue of listing Azhar — chief of Jaish-e-Mohammad — as a global terrorist. They said that for China itself terrorism is a major challenge and that there are terror groups in Pakistan which target even China.
Observers feel India does not want to sour ties with its larger eastern neighbour and does not want to wash away the recent post-Doklam gains made in Sino-Indian relations.
This is probably the reason why India’s official reaction to the recent Chinese move merely expressed “disappointment” without naming Beijing.
Observers noticed that the statement was relatively mildly-worded and did not lash out at China.
In addition, the second edition of the informal summit between the Chinese President and the Indian Prime Minister is scheduled to take place later this year in India.
Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled to visit India later this year for the summit and New Delhi is apparently keen that this not be derailed.
Observers also point out that China does not want to spoil its relations with its all-weather friend Pakistan and Islamic hardline organisations within that country as the Chinese are protecting their huge financial investments in the China-Pakistan economic corridor (CPEC).