- Diplomatic victory for India
- China’s veto crushed
New Delhi. 01 May 2019. The day was one of national celebration for India for winning a diplomatic war against China and Pakistan and getting Masood Azhar declared a global terrorist by United Nations , despite China’s veto earlier this March .
It was a major victory for India with the strong support of US, UK and France. China’s lifted the hold on terrorist designation of Masood Azhar by the 1267 Sanctions Committee of the UN. The road to get him to surrender and then get him in India for trials is a long one but global support is India’s trump card and this is a major step ahead in its fight against terrorism perpetrated by Pakistan sheltered terrorists
India Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson stated, ” The 1267 Sanctions Committee’s decision to designate the leader of Jaish-e-Mohammad, Masood Azhar, as a UN proscribed terrorist is a step in the right direction to demonstrate the international community’s resolve to fight against terrorism and its enablers. We welcome the decision. This is in accordance with India’s position and in line with the information that India has shared with the members of the Sanctions Committee regarding terrorist activities of Masood Azhar and the Jaish-e-Mohammad. India will continue with its efforts through international forums to ensure that terrorist organizations and their leaders who cause harm to our citizens are brought to justice. “
India’s most vocal friend and strongest supported France on Wednesday welcomed the United Nations’ move to designate Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist and was happy at the successful realisation of its efforts. It may be recalled that US, France and the UK had asked China to lift its hold by 23 April on a resolution banning Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Maulana Masood Azhar by the United Nations and if China did not do so then US would formally introduce its resolution on banning Azhar at the UNSC bypassing the 1267 sanctions committee. Getting the resolution to ban Azhar through the UNSC required all five permanent members to go along with it ie US, France, UK, Russia and China voting for the resolution or China abstaining without vetoing the move. It also requires four other votes in support of the resolution from the 10 non permanent members of the UNSC.
China lifted its technical hold on listing JeM chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN, said that it took the decision after it found no objection to the listing proposal by the US, the UK and France following a careful study of the revised materials. United Nation’s Security Council ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee added one entry to its sanctions list today. Recently India had informed that it had shared with China all evidences of terrorist activities of Jaish-e-Mohammad and its leader Masood Azhar.
China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang made an official statement on the Approval of the Listing of Masood by the 1267 Committee of the UN Security Council. He said, ” The 1267 Committee of the UN Security Council has detailed criteria for the listing procedures. China always believes that the relevant work should be carried out in an objective, unbiased and professional manner and based on solid evidence and consensus among all parties. On this listing issue, China has been communicating with relevant parties in a constructive and responsible fashion. Recently, relevant countries revised and re-submitted the materials for the listing proposal to the 1267 Committee. After careful study of the revised materials and taking into consideration the opinions of relevant parties concerned, China does not have objection to the listing proposal. The proper settlement of the above-mentioned issue again shows that in international counter-terrorism cooperation, we have to uphold the rules and procedures of relevant UN body, follow the principle of mutual respect, resolve differences and build consensus through dialogue, and prevent politicizing technical issues.”
He did not refrain from praising Pakistan when he added, ” I would like to stress that Pakistan has made enormous contributions to fighting terrorism, which deserves the full recognition of the international community. China will continue to firmly support Pakistan’s efforts to combat terrorist and extremist forces.”
Pakistan’s Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the UNSC 1267 Listing of Masood Azhar told the press that this entails a ban on foreign travel, asset freeze and arms embargo. “You are aware that the listing of Maulana Masood Azhar had been under consideration in the Sanctions Committee for several years, (since 2009). He has been Pakistan’s Anti-Terrorism Act for some time, even before his case for listing was taken up by the Sanctions The UNSC 1267 Sanctions Committee listing is governed by clear rules and is based on strict technical criteria. All decisions of the Committee are taken through consensus. The Committee procedures allow members to place technical holds to provide additional time for further discussions to reach a common understanding on matters under its consideration. Many members have placed technical holds on various listing proposals ,” he explained.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the United Nations’ decision to designate Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist is a big victory in the fight against terrorism. “The UN Security Council has banned Masood Azhar, chief of terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed. It is a matter of satisfaction that the UN has finally agreed to list Azhar as a global terrorist. This is just the beginning, wait and watch what happens next,” he said.
Syed Akbaruddin, India’s Ambassador & Permanent Representative to the United Nations on designation of Masood Azhar as global terrorist stated, “this is a significant outcome, we have been at it for several years, today the goal stands achieved. Grateful to many countries who supported us i.e. the USA, UK and France and also several others in the council & outside the council. Would like to thank permanent representative of Indonesia.It is a happy day for all who would like to approach zero tolerance for terrorism”
