China may get hit by Pak-backed terror: VK Singh on Masood Azhar veto

With Beijing scuttling India's latest bid to have Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar designated as a terrorist by the United Nations, Union minister V K Singh has warned that the day is not far when China would have to pay a heavy price once it gets hit by Pakistan-backed terrorism.

"The friendship between China and Pakistan appears to be very strong but the day is not far when China too gets affected by Pakistan-backed terrorism," Singh, who is in Gorakhpur to take part in a function at the Gorakhnath temple, told media persons on Monday night.

"When such a situation arises, China will have to pay a heavy price," the minister of state for external affairs said, adding, "Pakistan has an important place in Chinese diplomacy...China's intervention in that case must be seen in this context."

After the attack on the Indian Air Force base at Pathankot on January 2, India in February had written to the United Nations calling for immediate action to list Azhar under the Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee.

India's submission was considered by the Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate for technical aspects of the evidence provided. The technical team then with the support of the United States, the United Kingdom and France had sent it to all the members. However, hours before the deadline, China requested the Committee to put a hold on the issue of banning the Jaish-e-Mohammed chief.

Chinese Permanent Representative to the UN Liu Jieyi said Azhar does not qualify to be nailed as a "terrorist" to face UN sanctions as his case "did not meet" the Security  Council's requirements.

China, one of the five permanent members of the UN with veto powers, has claimed that its decision is based on facts and rules.

To a question on Bharatiya Janata Party-People’s Democratic Party alliance in Jammu and Kashmir being termed as opportunistic, Singh asked whether it was right when the PDP had entered into an alliance with Congress in the past.

The senior leaders of both the parties have taken this decision after a lot of deliberation...Such things are important in democracy," Singh said.