China vetoes ban on Masood Azhar interminably

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.

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