Pulwama played big role in UN listing of Azhar as a global terrorist: BJP

"The aggression shown by some countries in pushing for designating Masood Azhar as global terrorist, including China, is in the background of recent developments including Pulwama and the exposure of Pakistan post-Balakot," senior BJP leader and Union finance minister Arun Jaitley told reporters here.

He said such references made by leaders like Omar Abdullah was only due to ignorance.

"The listing and designation of Masood Azhar is not a bio-data of the terrorist. The core issue is that he has been designated global terrorist and he and his country will have to face the consequences," he said adding what has been a matter of satisfaction for India is that the international community has been persuaded by India into agreeing to this.

"The reason for which China has changed its stand; and countries like the US, France, Britain and Russia took aggressive stand - it is natural that Pulwama had a big role in all these," he asserted.

Answering questions, he said it is a matter of "pride" that nationalism is an issue in this election.

"What is there to be defensive about it? Rather it's a matter shame that the opposition parties feel that nationalism should not be an election issue," he said.

Another BJP leader and defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that "the zero tolerance policy for terror has finally worked".

She said the UN listing of Jaish-e-Mohammed chief has become possible only due to untiring efforts of the government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to isolate Pakistan.

"It's the persistent effort of our government, zero tolerance policy and Prime Minister's foreign visits have resulted in this," she said.

Mr Jaitley said the efforts to declare Masood Azhar a global terrorist was taken up first by India in 2009 and since then the UNSC move was stalled by China thrice.

"It is true, this required time. India's foreign policy pressure tactics on global community and recent events - and finally giving into Indian's diplomatic perseverance and pressure from international community that China has finally withdrew its technical hold," he said.

"This is a big opportunity for India in its fight against terrorism," Mr Jaitley said.

To questions, he was critical of Congress stance on issues of national security and pointed out how the Congress has been making pledge to dilute provisions of AFSPA and remove sedition.

"The contrast in approach to national security and nationalism between Congress and BJP is visible," he said.