China said on Friday it will continue to block India’s efforts to ban Pakistan-based militant Masood Azhar and New Delhi’s application to join the influential Nuclear Suppliers Group until a consensus emerged on both issues. And this is why China has put on hold (the banning of Azhar),” Geng said. India’s bid in June was backed by the United States and France but faltered after China, South Africa, New Zealand and Austria opposed the application. Geng said he had to “underscore” that in recent years China and India relations had been making “great headway despite some disputes”. “We are willing to work with India to implement the leaders’ consensus, strengthen communication and cooperation and deepen pragmatic cooperation across the board,” Geng said.

Source: Hindustan Times October 14, 2016 09:12 UTC