Masood Azhar (File photo)

BEIJING: China appeared to be reviewing its stance on the issue of declaring Masood Azhar — head of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) — a global terrorist , after the uproar in India over the Pulwama killings. While the Chinese foreign ministry has condemned the attack , there was no mention of Azhar in its statement.

Beijing is weighing its options before taking a decision on the sensitive issue because it will upset its close ally, Pakistan. It had repeatedly helped Pakistan by blocking India’s efforts to get Azhar listed by the UN Security Council as a global terrorist.

An indication of an internal review is available in the guarded message sent by Chinese State Councillor and foreign minister Wang Yi to external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, expressing his condolences for the death of the CRPF jawans. Another indication came from a statement put up in the website of the Chinese foreign ministry.

China will participate in the UN Security Council discussions for listing Azhar as a global terrorist in “an objective, unbiased and professional manner,” the ministry said before delivering a crucial statement. “We will continue to do so and remain in communication with all parties including India on this issue,” it said. This suggested Beijing’s readiness to review the issue after further consultations with India.

Experts say it is too early to expect China to reverse its existing stance without getting some advantage. “China might consider a change in its stance on Masood Azhar only after some hard bargaining. It will expect some concessions from India in return,” Phunchok Stobdan, former diplomat and strategic affairs expert told TOI.

Stobdan said a lot depends on how well India is able to bargain on the issue instead of making public demands from China. Chinese leaders do not want to be seen as bowing to a public demand in India because that would hurt China’s image in Pakistan, he said.

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Al Saud is scheduled to visit China on February 21-22 after travelling to Pakistan and India. Reports indicate he has cut short his visit to Pakistan by a day and has also cancelled a meeting of business delegations of the two countries, possibly due to the Pulwama attack .

China, which hopes to develop a “strategic partnership” with Saudi Arabia, is expected to seriously weigh signals coming from the Crown Prince, as Saudi Arabia is apparently displeased by Pakistan’s attitude towards India. This may be another reason why Beijing might consider a change in its stance on Masood Azhar.



In Video: China shields JeM chief Masood Azhar, India slams 'opaque' UNSC Sanctions Committees