Masood Azhar finally listed as global terrorist | US orchestrated change of China’s stance
Pakistan ensured immediate enforcement of the sanctions on India’s public enemy number one, but also lashed out on India for its position in Kashmir.
“Big, small, all join together. Masood Azhar designated as a terrorist in UN Sanctions list. Grateful to all for their support,” Syed Akbaruddin, India’s ambassador to the United Nations
- Terrorist outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed kingpin Masood Azhar was designated as a global threat on the UN Sanction List on 1st May.
- Masood Azhar orchestrated the 2008 Mumbai attacks and the recent Pulwama blasts that heightened tensions between India and Pakistan.
- The UN listing is the effect of a fresh bid by the US, UK and France on behalf of India after China cooled down on its objection of the listing.
- China wanted to delay the sanction after Lok Sabha Elections in India but finally caved in to international pressure led by the US.
- China gave a letter in writing to the US to that it supports Azhar’s listing as a global terrorist.
UN Sanctions Committee imposed a global ban on Masood Azhar, after India’s decade-long efforts.
The fresh proposal was put forward by the US, Britain and France amid rising tensions in Kashmir with two nuclear-armed nations appearing on the brink of war in February this year.
China, Pakistan’s biggest ally had earlier blocked the proposal in Sanctions Committee on more than one occasion. After relentless US pressure and a week’s ultimatum on the 23rd of April, China yielded to agree on sanctions from 1st of May 2019.
Pak plays down India’s Diplomatic Win
Pakistan’s foreign ministry office spokesman Mohammad Faisal downplayed the country’s diplomatic setback. Pakistan has successfully leveraged friendship with China for years to keep Masood Azhar from being tagged on the list. He said:
“Pakistan maintains that terrorism is a menace to the world, including the Indian state-sponsored terrorism against innocent Kashmiris,”
Faisal added that the development should not be seen as a victory for India and validation of its stance.
France welcomed the development
France welcomed the global sanctions, having themselves adopted national sanctions on Masood Azhar on 15th March, in the wake of the Pulwama attack on Indian soil.
“French diplomacy has been relentlessly pleading for sanctioning Azhar, head of the terrorist group responsible, notably, for the Pulwama attack last February”
The UN sanctions will enforce lock down of Masood Azhar’s assets and a ban on travel.
