India on Thursday issued a demarche to China on its blocking of a U.S.-backed proposal to ban Pathankot attack mastermind and JeM chief Masood Azhar by the U.N.

India’s sharp reaction came a day after China defended its decision to block the U.S.-initiated proposal in the U.N. for designating Azhar as a global terrorist, saying the “conditions” have not yet been met for Beijing to back the move.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said in Beijing that China resorted to the move to allow the “relevant parties” to reach a consensus.

New Delhi hit out at China saying if there was a change in the Chinese position, there would be consensus. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said the matter had been taken up with the Chinese Ambassador, and a similar demarche was being made in Beijing. — PTI