In a major victory for India, Masood Azhar has been designated as Global Terrorist at UNSC 1267 Committee sanctions list. Commenting on this big diplomatic success, Syed Akbaruddin, India’s Ambassador to the UN said that big, small, all joined together. Now, Masood Azhar has been designated as a terrorist in UN Sanctions list.
Syed Akbaruddin, India's Ambassador to the UN: Big, small, all join together. Masood Azhar designated as a terrorist in UN Sanctions list. pic.twitter.com/lVjgPQ9det
— ANI (@ANI) May 1, 2019
#BREAKING: Masood Azhar designated as Global Terrorist at #UNSC 1267 Committee sanctions list. Big embarrassment for Pakistan which has given shelter to Jaish e Muhammad Chief Masood Azhar who is responsible for Pulwama terror attack in Kashmir, India. Thanks to @AkbaruddinIndia.
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) May 1, 2019
Although India has been trying to designate Masood Azhar as Global Terrorist for quite some time now, so far, China was blocking India’s bids. However, China has lifted the ‘technical hold’ on the process which paved the way for this designation. China’s move to lift the hold is not likely to go down well with Pakistan who has been shielding the terrorist. China’s move also shows significant shift on Pakistan policy. Indications of this shift were visible when Pakistan PM Imran Khan had visited China for BRI summit.
Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, who was on four day official visit to China was received by Deputy Secretary-General of the Beijing Municipal Committee of CPPCC, Li Lifeng. Prime Minister of a country being received by Deputy Secretary of a city municipal committee is what a state like Pakistan can expect from its powerful masters like China. As per the protocols, a foreign dignitary should be received by equivalent counterpart. Imran Khan should have been received by Chinese premier Xi Jinping but this did not happen. This was clear indication of the fact that China does not treat them as equals. This speaks volumes about Pakistan’s stature as an ally in the Chinese opinion. “China is our closest friend and ‘iron brother’,” said Imran Khan. However, it seems like the brotherhood is not working out in Imran Khan’s favor as of now.
The move by China is an indication that its Pakistan policy is now changing. The move also indicates that China has learned to recognize an assertive India under a capable and strong prime minister. The designation of Masood Azhar as Global Terrorist is going to have deeper impacts in the strategic relationships of India, China and Pakistan. As of now, it remains to be seen whether Pakistan will take any meaningful step against Masood Azhar and other terrorists.
Amidst the general elections, this diplomatic win is a shot in the arm for the Modi government.