India again seeks China’s backing for JeM ban by UN

05 Nov 2016

India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval is understood to have raised the issue of the Beijing's attempts to block United Nations (UN) ban on the chief of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed, Maulana Masood Azhar, during informal bilateral talks with China held in Hyderabad.

The two nations held an NSA-level meeting in the Andhra Pradesh capital to resolve issues that strained their bilateral ties in recent times.

Amicable discussions on various long-pending security issues between the team of Doval and an around 18-member delegation led by the People's Republic of China State Councillor Yang Jiechi were held during the meeting.

The major bone of contention between the two countries have been India's Nuclear Suppliers' Group entry bid and banning of JeM chief Masood Azhar, who was accused of master minding the Mumbai terrorist attack.

Beijing has scuttled India's bid to gain a seat in the NSG and to get the JeM's chief on the ban list.

The Ministry of External Affairs did not give an official statement on the issues discussed. However, sources told The Indian Express that Doval raised the issue of Azhar being backed by China at the UN. 

China allegedly raised the issue of India's decision to allow Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama to visit Arunachal Pradesh.  However, India explained the reasons for giving permission to the Lama's visit.