Azahar Massod issue raised during PM’s bilateral dialogue with Chinese Premier

15 October, Benauliam

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Vikas Swaroop Saturday said issue of terrorist Maulana Azhar Masood figured in the bilateral talk between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Xinping which took place here today.

Responding to questions during media briefing on dialogue of the Prime Minister with Chinese President Xi Xinping during BRICS Summit 2016 which is underway here, he said, ”I think India and China have maintained a continuous dialogue on the issue of terrorism. At multiple levels this (issue of Maulana Massod Azhar) has been raised, including at the highest possible levels, including today I think Chinese are very well aware of our concerns of need for us to ensure that globally notified terrorists are designated by the United Nations And I think there is close co-ordination between India and China on this issue and I think that the dialogue will continue.”

”China clearly acknowledges the issue of terrorism, the danger that it poses and the fact that Xi opposes all forms of terrorism This is an issue where there must be increased co-ordination and co-operation with India. The counter terrorism dialogue has taken place when the NSA meets state counsel Yang ji Chi this issue will be taken up further. We are maintaining a continuous dialogue with China and our hope is that China will see the logic of what we are saying,” he responded to a question.

When asked whether China has understood India’s concern on Masood Azhar, he said, ”We have not left any stone un-turned. We have raised this issue at every step and explained to them why the designation of Maulana Masood Azhar is important not just for India, but for every one because he is a terrorist whose reach doesn’t just extent to this region, but beyond it too.” However, to a question he said, action would be known from ground report only. ”We can only take our concern to them and then it is upto them to think over that and see how much it is important and how much depth it has,” he said.
Indian Ambassador to China Vijay Gokhale said,” I think on counter terrorism both the leaders essentially agreed that this was scourge for the region, not just the two countries.”