The French government has decided to sanction Pakistan terrorist and head of Jaish-e-Mohammed head, Masood Azhar at the national level by freezing his assets in application of the Monetary and Financial Code.
A statement issued by the French government, has pledged to support India in fighting terrorism. This comes after the Pulwama attack on 14th February where over 40 soldiers of the Indian Armed forces had been killed in a terror attack, for which Pakistan's JeM had taken responsibility.
France has always been and always will be by India’s side in the fight against terrorism, the statement added. It was France that initiated UNSC statement on Pulwama and later proposal to sanction Azhar under 1267 sanctions committee.
A joint decree of the Ministries of the Interior, and Economy and Finance was published in the Official Gazette.
There’s is an attempt made by the EU, being led by Germany and France to list Azhar as a terrorist under an EU-India list. This would ensure that Azhar will in all practical purposes be a "designated terrorist" in the EU and India.
