China snubs India again
Foils move to ban JeM chief at UN; blocks Brahmaputra tributary for dam
China yesterday blocked a UN move to ban Pakistan based terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar in an apparent snub to India as tension rises between New Delhi and Islamabad over a cross-border attack.
China extended its technical "hold" on JeM chief Masood Azhar for a further three months in the UN Security Council's 1267 committee. JeM is blamed for many attacks in India including recent attacks in military bases in Pathankot and Uri. India also holds it responsible for the 2001 parliament attack in New Delhi.
The resolution to ban him was co-sponsored by the US, UK, France and India, with 14 other countries acquiescing.
In the past six months, India has lobbied with China to lift the hold. It has had absolutely no effect. In response to India's efforts, China has continued to ask India to "talk directly" to Pakistan about it.
China's action comes after India admitted to carrying out strikes against terrorist launching pads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, across the Line of Control.
China trod a careful middle path while reacting to the strikes, calling for restraint and de-escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan. However, with the extension of the hold against Azhar though, China has signaled full support to Pakistan and its terror proxies, reported Indian media.
The report came after China blocked a tributary of the Brahmaputra river in Tibet as part of the construction of its "most expensive" hydro project, which could cause concern in India as it may impact water flows into the lower riparian countries.
The Lalho project on the Xiabuqu river, a tributary of the Yarlung Zangbo (the Tibetan name for Brahmaputra), in Xigaze in Tibet involves an investment of 4.95 billion yuan ($740 million), Zhang Yunbao, head of the project's administration bureau was quoted as saying by Chinese state-run Xinhua news agency yesterday .
It is not clear yet what impact the blockade of the river will have on the flow of water from the Brahmaputra into the lower riparian countries like India and Bangladesh as a result, it said.
The blockade of the Brahmaputra river tributary comes at a time when India's reported decision to suspend talks with Pakistan under Indus Water Treaty as part of its efforts to hit back at Pakistan in the aftermath of the Uri attack.