China ready for consensus on NSG, still opposing UN ban on Azhar

Ahead of President Xi Jinping’s visit to India for the BRICS Summit in Goa, China on Monday said it is “ready” for talks with India on its entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) but defended extending a hold on India’s bid for a UN ban on JeM chief Masood Azhar, saying Beijing is opposed to anyone making “political gains in the name of counter-terrorism”.

Talking to media here, China’s Vice Foreign Minister Li Baodong harped on the need to build consensus over the admission of new members in the 48-member NSG.

Replying to a question on criticism about China’s move to stall India’s bid for a UN ban on Azhar - head of Pakistan-based terrorist group Jaish-e-Muhammad, Li sought to justify Beijing’s recent technical hold in the matter, saying: “China is opposed to all forms of terrorism. There should be no double standards on counter- terrorism. Nor should one pursue own political gains in the name of counter-terrorism.”