India has finally won the diplomatic war with China as the latter has finally lifted its “hold” over the decision of declaring Masood Azhar has the global terrorist at the United Nation’s Security Council. India refused to compromise the retaliation to the Pulwama attack and finally achieved the sanction against JEM chief on its own terms. China constantly vetoed Azhar’s name on the account that India rejected its proposal of de-escalation after the Pulwama attack.
China which is termed as the “all weather friend” of Pakistan has made huge investments in the Belt and Road initiative, any further instability in Pakistan would cause delay and loss in the China-Pakistan corridor projects. It therefore, tried to establish a pact that it would only support the sanctions on Masood Azhar if India assured that it would not retaliate after the Pulwama attack. It is not the first time that China served as an obstruction for India in listing Azhar as a global terrorist. When in 2016 and 2017 India had made the move, China had advised India to solve the issue on bilateral terms, with Pakistan. It was clear that China was clearing its own ground, and making a space for its own projects and investments.
However, after relentless efforts, India finally proved its metal in the diplomatic battle. The sanctions moved against the JEM chief were not on the basis of only the Pulwama attack but Masood Azhar has been accused of funding, planning, facilitating and perpetrating terrorism across borders in the past. After the 14th February attack, India was sure to retaliate and made sure that the terror strike didn’t go unpunished. Major global players across the world supported India’s stand of self defence. Countries like the US, UK and France along with the United Nations acknowledged the air strike as a war against terrorism. It was clear that India would face no diplomatic heat from most of the global community. India did not care about the brunt it would receive from China, but now achieved its mission on its own terms.
MEA spokesperson, Raveesh Kumar said, “The designation is not based on a specific incident but on the basis of the evidence shared with the members of the 1267 sanctions committee linking Masood Azhar to terrorism. In the UN notification, it very clearly states that Masood Azhar was listed for participating in financing, planning, facilitating, and perpetrating terrorist activities associated with JeM. This broadly covers all terror activities he has been involved in,”.
Indian foreign ministry clearly stated that they would not involve in any negotiation when it comes to national security and terrorism issues. It was India’s diplomatic excellence that flagged its victory at the United Nations. India did not compromise its stand over terrorism and sent a strong message about where the country stands in terms of its dedication to weed out terrorism around the world.