As expected,
China once again imposed a technical hold on the UN resolution proposed by
Britain, France and US at the UN for designating Masood Azhar as a terrorist at
the UNSC. Masood Azhar, head of terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) is accused
of several terror attacks against India, including the one the Pathankot
Airbase in 2016. The resolution was supported all other permanent members
baring China. Just days before the resolution under the 1267 sanctions committee
was scheduled for voting, Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Hua
Chunying said, “As for listing of
application by the relevant country (India), there are disagreements. China put
a technical hold so as to allow more time to deliberate on this matter. To our
regret, the committee has yet to reach any consensus. China always maintained
that on the listing of matter, the 1267 committee, shall uphold the principle
of objectivity, impartiality and professionalism, and its decisions by
consensus among its members on the basis of solid evidence”. But
interestingly, China’s decision has always been quite contrary to the
principles cited above.
The 1267
sanctions committee was set up by the UN in 1999 to impose strictures on anyone
dealing with Taliban and Osama bin Laden. In 2011, Al-Qaeda added to target
group and by December 2015, UNSC renamed the group as ISIL and Al-Qaeda
sanctions committee. India put up a resolution for imposing ban on Azhar in
September 2016. Soon Britain, US and France supported Indian resolution while
China vetoed it through a technical hold ever since. With the latest technical
hold, China has exhausted any further extension of technical hold.
Consequently, China has blocked Azhar’s ban at the UN. Sanctions would
effectively lead to a travel ban and freezing of all financial assets.
Responding
angrily Ministry
of External Affairs spokesperson said “We
are deeply disappointed that once again, a single country has blocked
international consensus on the designation of acknowledged terrorist and leader
of UN-designated terrorist organization, Masood Azhar. India strongly believes
that double standards and selective approaches will only undermine the
international community resolve to combat terrorism. We can only hope that
there will be realization that accommodating with terrorism for narrow
objectives is both short sighted and counterproductive”.
China’s
technical despite knowing the Indian sensitives may not portend for
Indo-Chinese relations. With Beijing even single-mindedly stonewalling Indian
efforts to gain a place in NSG (Nuclear Security Group) still afresh, this
technical hold will invariably weaken the bilateral ties. Interestingly, after
the block, Chinese foreign minister enunciated that “we are ready to work with India to promote constant progress of
bilateral relations guided by this diplomacy with Chinese characteristics for
the new era”.
China defended
its position of imposing technical hold by claiming that it failed to obtain
consensus of member countries. This ridiculous argument holds no ground as
common sense implores person in charge of a UN designated terror organization
would invariably be a terrorist. JeM was designated as terror group by UN 1267
sanctions committee in 2001. China indeed demanded “solid evidence” to change
its position. Indeed, Azhar was released by India in 1999, in return for safe
exchange of passengers travelling in the hijacked plane. Azhar, in his book,
From Imprisonment to Freedom, discussed in length about his links with Osama
bin Laden and his efforts in recruiting people to Al-Qaeda. There are mounting
evidences of his links to terror attacks in India over the place. But China
refuses to accept. Obviously, China
wouldn’t have found no right-thinking nation joining its cahoots.
China’s
relentless bids to save its “all weather friend”
from international shame, will be watched more closely with the Dragon making
formidable pitch for new recognition as emerging global power. Couple of days
back, attacker Sayfullo Saipov mowed down a truck in New York leading to death
of 8 people and injuring 11. Saipov, an Uzbek national is a member of IMU
(Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan) which pledged loyalty to IS. Uzbek nationals
of late have been prime perpetrators of terror in Europe are found to be
closely associated with IMU. IMU, which was formed in 1998 with original
objective of overthrowing the President Islam Karimov, soon resolved to create
an Islamic state governed by sharia. It allied with Al-Qaeda, Afghan Taliban.
After suffering worst causalities in the US air raids in 2001, the group found
settled in South Waziristan and Federally Administrated Tribal Areas of
Pakistan (FATA). Now US administration has pulled up Pakistan for sheltering
IMU. Though Pakistan denied IMU having safe havens on its territory, reports
indicate active presence of residual factions of IMU after US raid in 2001.
Increasingly, Pakistan’s direct or indirect role in proliferation of global
terror is becoming tad clear. This latest terror attack, once again invalidates
China’s claim of Pakistan as victim of terrorism and lends credence to India
reference to Pakistan as “mother of all
terrorism”.
Indeed, China’s
move though expected is intriguing as Beijing listed JeM as a terror
organization in the joint statement at Xiamen BRICS summit concluded in
September. In the para
49 of Xiamen declaration, countries pledged- “we deplore all terrorist activities world-wide, including attacks in
BRICS countries, and condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations
wherever committed and by whomsoever and stress that there can be no
justification whatsoever for any act of terrorism. We affirm that those responsible
for committing, organizing or supporting terrorist act must be held accountable”.
China’s duplicitous position barely after two months clearly exemplifies its
double standards. Interestingly, while China Masood Azhar is not important to
China, strong relation with Pakistan is crucial for the success of its flagship
OBOR initiative. Imposing ban on Azhar is tantamount to saying Pakistan is safe
havens for terror.
China misusing its veto for protecting its
client state will raise curious questions about the real intentions of the
Dragon. Clearly Chinese actions critically fall short of actions. Further, the
recent development vindicates India’s claim of China being hand and glove with
Pakistan when it comes to containing Indian aspirations and its global rise.
Besides, technical hold, reiterates, the general perception of China’s
reluctance to adhere to International regulations to foster it self-interests.
These global perceptions, in turn will negatively impact the reputation and
credentials of China as global giant. Chinese callous attitude and
obstructionism will invariably have an impending effect on the Indo-Chinese
bilateral ties.
With every new terror attack
across the globe Pakistan’s role as perpetrator of terrorism is becoming more
imminent. At this juncture, while China is walking the extra mile to protect
its economic interests in Pakistan, preponderance for terror is inherent in
Pakistan’s realm. Recently, two Chinese
nationals, working for CPEC project were kidnapped by Pakistan terror outfits.
While China censured Pakistan for security lapses in private, recusing Pakistan
of terror on international platform might be counterproductive. By supporting
Pakistan’s stance China is complicit of promoting terror. This dubious
distinction might be inimical to the Dragon’s aspirations of occupying a high
seat.
@ Copyrights reserved.
No comments:
Post a Comment