India criticises China for blocking sanctions against Masood Azhar

India criticised the use of “hidden veto” at the  UN Security Council today and demanded more accountability from the Council.

The criticism comes after India’s effort to ban Jaish e Mohammad (JeM) chief Masood Azhar was thwarted by China at the UN.

"The procedures of unanimity and anonymity of the Al Qaeda, Taliban and ISIS Sanctions Committees need to be revisited. The procedures of unanimity and anonymity result in a lack of accountability," Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin,  India's Permanent Representative to the UN Security Council said in an open debate on Threats to International Peace and Security Caused by Terrorist Acts.

Azhar is said to be the mastermind behind Pathankot terror attack.

Against the backdrop of Akbaruddin without naming China said none except these 15 members are told of who is it that has wielded the veto in a specific instance.

"The general membership of the UN is never ever formally informed of how and why requests for listing terrorists are not acceded to. Counter terror mechanisms such as the Sanctions Committees that act on behalf of the international community need to build trust not engender impunity by the use of this form of a 'hidden veto'," Akbaruddin said.

Following the Pathankot airbase attack in January, India had written to the UN calling for immediate action to list the chief of the Pakistan-based terror outfit  JeM under the UN Sanctions Committee.

The Indian team had submitted evidence to the Counter- Terrorism Executive Directorate (CTED), which was supported by the US, UK and France.

When India’s concern were tabled at the UN Sanctions Committee, China requested the committee to keep on hold the sanctions.

In a briefing earlier this month Chinese envoy and President of the Security Council Liu Jieyi said that China did not agree to India’s demands as JeM chief did not meet the criteria.