Washington/New Delhi: A senior member of the Trump administration has said that China has a responsibility to not shield Pakistan. This statement was made in response to China's block in the UN to designate Masood Azhar, Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief as a "global terrorist"

Jaish-e-Mohammed led by Masood Azhar has claimed responsibility for the terrorist attack on Pulwama district in Kashmir on February 14th which led to the death of 40 Indian jawans.

The offical on Wednesday said "We think China has a responsibility to also not shield Pakistan and join the international community in calling on Pakistan to take action against terrorists operating on its soil".

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France, USA and Britain have moved a resolution in the United Nations Sanctions Committee to designate Azhar as a "global terrorist" after the Pulwama attacks. China for the fourth time blocked the bid and put a 'technical hold' on it.

The official also said "We believe that China and the US share a mutual interest in achieving regional stability and peace. And that any failure on the Security Council as part to designate Masood Azhar as a terrorist would run counter to this mutual goal that China and the United States have". He further added, "We don't really understand this. China should not be shielding Pakistan's support for known terrorist organisations. So, we're hoping that we can work together on a mutual goal in terms of countering terrorism and upholding our security council responsibility". 

America's views on China's decision came after Germany initiated a move in the European Union to list Masood Azhar as a global terrorist. After realising that the Pulwama attack was not the first time JeM has attacked India, the Trump administration official said that it was time for Pakistan to bear down on the terrorist group.

Also read: Germany initiates move at EU to list Masood Azhar as global terrorist

The official who wished to remaina anonymous said that this point has been clearly put across to Pakistani leaders.

Jaish-e-Mohammed was also responsible for the 2001 Parliament attack in India. This incident had resulted in a six-month India-Pakistan mobilisation, the official said. The US is also working with the United Nations Security Council and is urging Pakistan to not provide a safe haven to the terrorists. It has also been told to freeze the funds and financial assets of all terror entities under the UN Security Council 1267 sanction.