UN may designate Masood Azhar as global terrorist today
India’s biggest diplomatic win at the world body is imminent and will be achieved today.
Highly placed sources have told India Today TV that Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar will be “designated” a global terrorist by the UNSC 1267 Al-Qaeda Sanctions Committee with China lifting its hold, placed of March 13, on the move sponsored by US, UK and France.
After a decade of efforts, India finally has succeeded. Sustained effort by India’s diplomatic corps and hectic negotiations between USA, UK and France with China at the UNSC are leading to a fruitful outcome against the terrorist and mastermind of Pulwama terror attack in which 40 CRPF soldiers were killed in J&K.
“This was low cost, low key, below the radar, but a persistent effort”, said an official.
Masood Azhar being designated a global terrorist would give a fresh fillip to Prime Minister’s campaign as India is in the midst of elections. This is the first time that a terrorist is being listed by the UN following an attack in J&K.
In the past, the designations were consequent to acts of violence in various parts of India, except for J&K. Lashkar-e-Taiba and its leaders Hafiz Saeed and Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi were banned for 2008 Mumbai terror attack, Jaish-e-Mohammad was listed after the 2001 parliament attack.
Meanwhile, China has also provided indications that it “supports the issue of listing” and there has been “positive progress” in the matter while consultations are still underway.
“China supports the issue of listing, which should be resolved through political consultation within the framework of the 1267 Committee. That is also the consensus of the overwhelming majority of the members of the Council. At present, the relevant consultations are under way in the 1267 Committee. And positive progress has been made. We believe in the joint efforts of all parties. This problem can be properly solved,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson.
