China on Saturday extended its "technical hold" on Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar. The technical hold will extend for three months.

The move will further protect Masood Azhar from being banned by the United Nation's (UN) 1267 committee, which usually leads to several financial and non-financial sanctions. China's decision to impose a fresh technical hold was made just as the previous technical hold was about to expire on Saturday.

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"China always maintains that on the listing matter, the 1267 committee should stick to the main principles of objectivity, impartiality, and professionalism, base its judgments on solid evidence and decide upon consensus among the members of the Security Council," said China's Foreign Ministry's Spokesperson Geng Shuang.

Adding that there are divergent views on India's listing application, he further said "There are still different views on India's listing application. The extended technical hold on it will allow more time for the committee to deliberate on the matter and for relevant parties to have further consultations."  

The United Nation's 1267 committee functions by consensus. Hence a veto by any member blocks the move initiated by other member nation. The veto by China counts even more since it is the permanent member of the United Nation's Security Council. 

China's latest snub comes despite months of intense lobbying by New Delhi to convince Beijing to change its stance on the Masood Azhar issue. China had snubbed India in the UN on the Masood Azhar issue in March, allegedly on the behest of Pakistan.

China and Pakistan's relationship with India is underpinned by decades of hostility and mistrust. Festering border issues have been the main bone of contention in their relationship with India. The most sensitive issue being the Kashmir dispute, which has been responsible for three wars between India and Pakistan.     

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