The proposal, first introduced by the Trump administration in January this year, wanted the UN to designate Azhar a global terrorist, but was put on a technical hold by China, a permanent member of the UNSC, who used its veto power.

The United States had the backing of the United Kingdom and France.

China, who has been blamed for being selective in its approach towards fighting terrorism, has said that there isn't enough evidence against Azhar to ban him.

However, experts have opined that the move has been conceived by the Communist nation to keep India under check, which in recent times has fostered a stronger bond with the United States.