Sushma may raise Masood Azhar issue with Chinese counterpart

New Delhi: During the meeting between External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her Chinese counterpart on April 18 in Moscow, India is likely to take up the issue of China blocking its call to ban Jaish-e-Muhammad chief Masood Azhar at the United Nations.

The two leaders will meet during the upcoming meeting of Foreign Ministers of Russia, India and China on April 18 in Moscow.

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said, “India is in constant touch with China on the matter. The issue has already been taken up at high level. There cannot be two sets of rules for judging terrorists.”

Replying to a media query on consular access for former Indian Navy official who is Pakistan’s custody, Swarup said India is yet to get the access.

Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit, meanwhile, said he subscribes to Chinese view on Masood Azhar.

China maintains that designation of any individual as terrorist by the U.N. is a serious issue, and therefore, there was a need for more evidence from India for better understanding to ban JeM chief. (ANI)