India talks tough with China on JeM chief

India on Monday did some plain-speaking with China over its blocking of the Indian bid to get JeM chief Masood Azhar banned by the UN and warned the global community of “serious consequences” if it continues to adopt “double standards” in dealing with terrorism. During a bilateral meeting with her Chinese counterpart, Wa-ng Yi, external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj also asked for a “review” of the Chinese action at the UN.

“I told him (Mr Wang) that if we were to fulfil our intention of fighting terrorism together, then China should review the stand it had taken at the UN 1267 Committee,” Ms Swaraj told a joint press conference with Mr Wang and Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov.

Meanwhile, defence minister Manohar Parrikar Monday firmly conveyed India’s reservations to Chi-nese leaders over Beijing blocking its efforts to get Azhar banned by the UN.

In a meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Gen. Chang Wanquan, he said, “India attaches highest priority to relations with China and is committed to further developing friendly and cooperative relations with China”.