'Frustrated' China's move to block ban on JeM, Masood Azhar was expected: Subramanian Swamy

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy on 1 April asserted that China's move to block India's proposal to ban Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Maulana Masood Azhar shows their frustration.

He said that such a move by China was expected and said that efforts should be made to ensure that conditions should not deteriorate in the region. He told ANI:

"I have been telling the governments since many days that China is frustrated with us. We should know the reason as to why they are frustrated".

"I have known China and I feel that friendship is possible with them. Whatever is happening is expected. Therefore efforts should be made so that conditions should not deteriorate".

In a major disappointment for India, China collaborated with Pakistan to block New Delhi's proposal to ban Masood Azhar.

Following the 2 January attack on the Indian Air Force Base in Pathankot killing seven Indian military personnel, India has called on the United Nations for immediate action to list Azhar under the al-Qaida Sanctions Committee.

According to sources, 14 out of 15 countries were willing to designate Azhar but China alone decided to go against all the others in the bid.

The US, UK and France had strongly supported the move and the other nations had also expressed their consent to proceed with the action on Azhar.

But China, one of the five permanent members of the UN group with veto powers, collaborated with Pakistan to block the bid, sources add.

China is now the only country that has stood up for Masood Azhar more than once.

-- ANI