'Disappointed but will continue to pursue all available avenues", Ministry of External Affairs issues statement after China blocks ban on Masood Azhar. Read here

As a veto-wielding permanent member of the Security Council, China has blocked the move to put a ban on the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief for the fourth time, the Ministry of External Affairs has expressed "disappointed" over China's move. In a press statement, MEA said also added that it "will continue to pursue all available avenues to ensure that terrorist leaders who are involved in heinous attacks on our citizens are brought to justice".

Read the full statement here:

The ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee (1267 Sanctions Committee), upon completion of the no-objection period on 13 March 2019, was not able to come to a decision on the proposal for listing Mohammed Masood Azhar Alvi under the UN Sanctions regime, on account of a member placing the proposal on hold.

We are disappointed by this outcome. This has prevented action by the international community to designate the leader of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), a proscribed and active terrorist organization which has claimed responsibility for the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir on 14 February 2019.

We are grateful for the efforts of the Member States who moved the designation proposal and the unprecedented number of all other Security Council members as well as non-members who joined as co-sponsors.

We will continue to pursue all available avenues to ensure that terrorist leaders who are involved in heinous attacks on our citizens are brought to justice.

Read: China Blocks Ban On Masood Azhar To Be Designated As Global Terrorist For The Fourth Time, Says 'need More Time To Examine The Request'

Earlier, the United States of America, United Kingdom and France moved a resolution on February 27 seeking to designate the JeM chief as 'global terrorist'.

While India received constant support from a number of nations, their biggest concern in this development came in the form of China, which has on three occasions in the past 10 years blocked Masood Azhar's listing as a global terrorist.

Despite pressure from across the globe, China remained non-committal on this matter and hinted that it will once again the block the move.

Earlier, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lu Kang while talking about the issue had said: 

"On the issue, I want to say that China always adopts a responsible attitude, engage in consultation with various parties properly deal with this issue. The discussion, I want to say must follow the rules and procedures and relevant bodies and only the solution that is acceptable to all sides is conducive for resolving the issue," Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said.