India might be quietly upping the ante against China on Jaish chief Masood Azhar's issue. A group of activists from the Washington-based World Uighur Congress will be visiting Dalai Lama in Dharamsala for an inter-ethnic, inter-faith dialogue organized by the spiritual leader.

Read Also Sushma Swaraj raises Masood Azhar issue with Chinese counterpart External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj on Monday strongly raised with her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi the issue of China blocking its bid to have JeM chief and Pathankot terror attack mastermind Masood Azhar designated as a terrorist by the UN.

Sushma raises Masood Azhar issue with Chinese counterpart

NEW DELHI: With India pressing China to explain its reasons for the "technical hold" on designating Masood Azhar a global terrorist, China has responded by saying India should consult with Pakistan.Speaking to TOI in Delhi, Liu Jinsong , charge d'affaires in the Chinese embassy in New Delhi reiterated the position. "China is against all forms of terrorism. We have put a technical hold, not a veto. It is not an issue between China and India. We would prefer that you talk to Pakistan."Indian officials met Chinese counterparts in Beijing, New York and New Delhi as India tried to draw China out on its reasons.India, sources said, was willing to delete details in the document to allow China to lift the "hold". In recent days, China has continued to justify its action.In Beijing, the foreign ministry spokesperson also defended China's action."China always deals with the listing of 1267 committee based on facts and pursuant to UN Security Council resolutions and relevant rules in a fair manner," he said. This was in response to Indian permanent representative to the UN Syed Akbaruddin, slamming a "hidden veto" in the 1267 committee.The Chinese foreign ministry said, "Both China and India fall victim to terrorism and share similar positions when it comes to combating terrorism."Separately, however, India might be quietly upping the ante. A group of activists from the Washington-based World Uighur Congress will be visiting Dalai Lama in Dharamsala for an inter-ethnic, inter-faith dialogue organized by the spiritual leader.They will join groups from around 15 countries in a US Institute of Peace program.According to the think tank, "This dialogue will help them build practical skills and personal resilience they need to work against the tensions or violence in their homelands." India had denied a visit by Rebiya Kadeer, Uighur leader in 2009.India has a list of other terror leaders who it wants to see listed as terrorists by the UNSC's 1267 committee . It's not clear how many of them will be blocked by China.The next round of discussions between India and China are liable to be dominated by this incident.NSA Ajit Doval is expected to have a strategic dialogue with state councillor Yang Jiechi in Beijing later this week where it will be raised again.This dialogue comes after almost a year, which is unusual. Doval cancelled his last meeting because of the Pathankot attack.