(Image source from: dailyexcelsior.com)

French Foreign Minister Le Drian held a telephonic conversation with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and informed her about action taken by France on Jaish-e-Mohammed Chief Masood Azhar.

According to Ministry External Affairs Statement, French Foreign Minister Le Drain informed EAM Sushma Swaraj of the action taken by France to sanction Masood Azhar, Chief of the UN proscribed terrorist organisation Jaish-e-Mohammed, which had claimed responsibility for the Pulwama terrorist attack on 14th February, 2019.

France has sanctioned Masood Azhar at the national level by freezing his assets. French Foreign Minister also informed that France has raised this issue with the European Union.

He reiterated that France has always been and will always be on India's side in the fight against terrorism.

External Affairs Minister thanked FM Le Drian for France's steadfast support and said that India looked forward to continuing this cooperation on the anti-terrorism front.

“This action on the part of France was an expression of partnership with India and was in consonance with the global intent by responsible nations committed to fight against terror, including cross-border terrorism, anywhere in the world,” the MEA said.

On Friday a Joint Press Release from The Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, The Ministry of Economy and Finance and The Ministry of the Interior said that they will discuss putting Masood Azhar on a European Union list of people suspected of being involved in terrorist acts.

It said “A deadly attack took place in Pulwama on 14th February 2019, claiming over 40 victims from the Indian police forces. The Jaish-e-Mohammed, which the United Nations has deemed to be a terrorist organization since 2001, has claimed responsibility for this attack.”

By Sai Kumar