China assures India of resolving Masood Azhar issue

NEW DELHI: Chinese Ambassador to India Luo Zhaohui Sunday said that the matter of Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar at the United Nations will be "resolved". China had put a last-minute "hold" on the UN Security Council resolution last week -- its fourth such move in a decade, international media reported.

Beijing had said its technical block was meant to buy time so the matter could be discussed and a considered step could be taken.

A UNSC designation would subject Masood Azhar to an assets freeze, travel ban and an arms embargo. At a function to celebrate Holi at his residence, Ambassador Luo Zhaohui said, "This matter will be resolved. This is only a technical hold, which means there is time for continued consultations. It will be resolved, believe me."

"Regarding Masood Azhar, we fully understand and we fully believe this matter," he said, adding China understands India’s concerns and he was optimistic that the matter would be resolved.