China again stalls India bid to blacklist Azhar

India’s international counter-terror campaign suffered a setback on Friday with China again blocking its attempt to blacklist Pakistan-based terror leader Masood Azhar at the U.N. China’s action stopped the counter terror committee of the U.N. Security Council Taliban/al Qaeda Sanctions Committee from designating the Jaish-e- Mohammad leader, which India called a “surprising” move.

“We note with concern China’s decision to block the proposal to list Masood Azhar as a designated terrorist under the 1267 Sanctions Committee of the U.N. Security Council which has been presented nine months ago and had received the strong backing of all other members of the Committee,” said MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup.

Beijing cites procedures

Justifying Beijing’s block, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Hua Chunying said, “I have repeated a number of times: when it comes to the listing matter of the U.N. Security Council 1267 Committee, we believe it should conform with relevant Security Council resolutions and the Committee’s rules of procedure.”

India began the campaign to blacklist Masood Azhar after the Pathankot attack on January 2. Subsequently India highlighted the contradiction that the UNSC 1267 Committee had banned Jaish-e-Mohammed in 2001 while leaving out Mr Azhar and therefore, should proscribe him as well.

However, China blocked India’s attempts to list Masood Azhar in the agenda of the 1267 Committee earlier this year, neutralising India’s campaign.

China’s blockade also cast a shadow on India’s plans to bring an international convention against terrorism under the aegis of the United Nations.

“The international community is aware that the Pakistan-based Jaish-e- Mohammad, which is proscribed by the United Nations, has been responsible for innumerable terrorist attacks on India including the Pathankot airbase attack.

‘Unfortunate blow’

“The inability of the international community to list its leader Masood Azhar is an unfortunate blow to the concerted efforts to effectively counter all forms of terrorism,” Mr Swarup said, highlighting the fact that the Chinese block indicates double standards in the fight against terror.

Sources said the attempt to blacklist Masood Azhar will remain part of India’s multilateral agenda and India will continue to campaign for the need to place him on the list of international terrorists. “Eternal vigilance is the price of countering terror. There are no deadlines. It is an ongoing pursuit,” said a senior diplomat about India’s future course of action on the issue.