New Delhi/United Nations (New York): In a huge diplomatic success for India in the midst of poll season, Pakistan-based terrorist and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) chief Masood Azhar was finally designated a “global terrorist” by the United Nations on Wednesday after China reversed its stand and lifted its hold on India’s decade-old proposal.
“It is a big success for India’s efforts to root out terrorism... India’s voice is being heard globally. India’s views cannot be ignored any longer, it has been proved,” Mr Modi said at an election rally in Jaipur.
The move showed that the relentless diplomatic pressure brought on China by India and Western powers — US, UK and France — finally bore fruit resulting in Beijing ultimately caving in.
Reacting to the development, a chastened Pakistan said, “Our position is in line with the statements of Prime Minister Imran Khan who clearly stated that there is no space for any proscribed organisation or its affiliates to operate from Pakistani territory.”
In India, parties cutting across ideological divide as well as strategic affairs experts hailed the UN action against Azhar.
The Congress welcomed the move but expressed its “disappointment” over no mention of JeM chief’s role in the Pulwama terror attack in the UN resolution.
“Pakistan based Masood Azhar’s belated declaration as a global terrorist by UN is surely a welcome step. India’s fight against terrorism is resolute. We are disappointed that UN listing doesn’t mention Pulwama/J&K while listing Azhar’s role in terrorist activities,” Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala tweeted.
Former J&K CM Omar Abdullah said, “No mention of terror in Kashmir and no mention of Pulwama. It’s amazing how quickly the sacrifices of the CRPF men were sold down the river to get a symbolic win.”
According to news agency reports, the UN committee listed Azhar as a global terrorist, for being associated with Al Qaeda, for “participating in the financing, planning, facilitating, preparing, or perpetrating of acts or activities by, in conjunction with, under the name of, on behalf of, or in support of… supplying, selling or transferring arms and related material to… recruiting for… otherwise supporting acts or activities of”, and “other acts or activities indicating association with” the JeM.
