–China says it needs more time to examine sanction request against Jaish chief
–India says will continue to pursue all available avenues to bring ‘terrorist leaders’ to justice
China has shot down India’s proposal to designate Jaish-e-Mohammed’s (JeM) chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist in the wake of Pulwama bombing, claimed by JeM.
The proposal to designate Azhar under the 1267 al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council was moved by France, UK and the US on February 27 after the attack in Pulwama on Feb 14 that had killed 40 Indian troops.
This is the fourth time China has blocked such a move. In a note sent to the council, China said it needed more time to examine the sanctions request targeting Masood Azhar, diplomats said.
“China will adopt a responsible attitude and continue to participate in discussions,” foreign ministry spokesperson Lu Kang had said before the UNSC session.
The move didn’t go down well with the India government. In a statement by its Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), India asserted that the committee was not able to come to a decision on the proposal on account of a member placing the proposal on hold.
“It added that India will continue to pursue all available avenues to ensure that terrorist leaders who are involved in heinous attacks on Indians are brought to justice,” he added.
A day before the resolution, China reminded the United Nations that “a responsible solution” can come only through discussions.
On Tuesday, China had said that ‘responsible and serious discussions’ are needed ahead of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC)’s sanctions committee meeting.
During his weekly briefing, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang responded to a question which asked what Beijing’s position would be at the meet after India on Saturday appealed that all permanent members of UNSC should declare Azhar a terrorist.
“We already stressed China’s position on the listing of terrorist organisations and individuals in the UN Security Council 1267 Committee on many occasions. China has all along participated in relevant discussions in a responsible manner and in strict accordance with the rules of procedure and provisions of the 1267 committee. China will continue to communicate and work with relevant parties in a responsible manner so as to properly resolve this matter. Only by making a decision through responsible and serious discussions can we find a lasting solution,” said Lu.
On Monday, India and the US called on Pakistan to take “concerted action” to dismantle terror infrastructure and deny safe haven to all terror groups, reflecting the growing pressure on Islamabad to crack down on terror after the Pulwama suicide bombing.
Pressuring Pakistan to deliver on its counter-terrorism commitments and the move to designate Azhar a global terrorist figured in foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale’s meeting with US secretary of state Mike Pompeo.
WHAT IS A GLOBAL TERRORIST:
A UNSC designation would have subjected the terrorist to an assets freeze, travel ban and an arms embargo. An assets freeze under the Sanctions Committee requires that all states freeze without delay the funds and other financial assets or economic resources of designated individuals and entities.
The travel ban entails preventing the entry into or transit by all states through their territories by designated individuals.
Under the arms embargo, all states are required to prevent the direct or indirect supply, sale and transfer from their territories or by their nationals outside their territories, or using their flag vessels or aircraft, of arms and related material of all types, spare parts, and technical advice, assistance, or training related to military activities, to designated individuals and entities.
CRACKDOWN ON BANNED OUTFITS:
Pakistan has launched a crackdown on banned outfits, particularly Jammatud Dawa and Jaish-e-Mohammed in the wake of Pulwama bombing and mounting pressure from Financial Action Task Force.
In addition, the government placed eight banned outfits from medium risk to high-risk category. These organisations include Daesh (Islamic State), Al Qaeda, Tehreek-e-Taliban Afghanistan, Haqqani Network, Jamaatud Dawa, Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation and Lashkar-e-Taiba.