The United States of America has called for the different parties involved in the designation of Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist to move forward together on the issue.

Alice Wells, the principal deputy assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asian Affairs, while talking to journalists at the US Embassy in Islamabad, said: “We would encourage the parties to move forward with the designation. It reaffirms the centrality of UN and UN role in designating terrorists.”

She noted: “We believe the designation process should be technical in nature, even assessment of evidence and countries moving forward to ensure that UN process works and works well and the international community is able to take corrective action against any terrorist, whoever they are, wherever they are located.”

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang, speaking at a media briefing in Beijing, said: “We support the listing issue being settled within the 1267 committee through dialogue and consultation and I believe this is the consensus of most members. Second, the relevant consultations are going on within the committee and have achieved some progress. Third, I believe, with the joint efforts of all parties, this issue can be properly resolved.”

India has been seeking Azhar’s listing since 2016, but the latest push came after the February 14 Pulwama attack which was claimed by the JeM. The Indian resolution was backed by UNSC permanent members the US, the United Kingdom and France. China had, however, halted the process by applying a technical hold for the fourth time.This time, the US, the UK and France, in a change of tactics, plan to table a resolution in the Security Council.