France wants JeM chief to be declared as intl terrorist by UN

France has reiterated its support to India’s pitch to get Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar designated as a global terrorist, days after China blocked such a proposal at the United Nations.

It added that there are “very strong arguments in favour” of designating Azhar as an international terrorist and said that it wants to see decisive action taken against terror groups targeting India.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrhoo, who was on a four-day India visit, stated that France is also a co-sponsor of the proposal to designate Masood Azhar as a global terrorist.

He regretted the fact that despite joint attempts by France and India and wide support from the Sanctions Committee, unanimity could not be reached.

He further said that Azhar’s outfit, the Jaish-e-Mohammad, is already included in the UN Sanctions Committees list of terror organisations.