China open to more talks with India on blacklisting JeM militant chief
- Beijing says block on UN sanctions against Masood Azhar meant to allow more time for discussion of the issue
China said on Friday it was willing to have more discussions with all parties concerned including India on blacklisting the head of Pakistan-based militant group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), which claimed responsibility for the attack on an Indian paramilitary convoy in disputed Kashmir in February.
China prevented a United Nations Security Council committee on Wednesday from blacklisting JeM founder Masood Azhar.
In a statement faxed to Reuters late on Friday, China’s foreign ministry repeated that the “technical hold” on the blacklisting was to give more time for the committee to have further consultations and study on the issue.
China hopes the committee’s actions can “benefit reducing the tense situation and protect regional stability”, the ministry said, responding to a Reuters question on the boycott calls in India.
“China is willing to strengthen communication with all parties, including India, to appropriately handle this issue,” it added, without elaborating.