The United Nations Security Council on Wednesday designated Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar as global terrorist
“Big, small, all join together. Masood Azhar designated as a terrorist in UN Sanctions list. Grateful to all for their support,” India’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Syed Akbaruddin tweeted.
The move is seen as a major diplomatic victory for India, which has been pressing for the world body to declare Jaish chief as a global terrorist especially after the organisation claimed responsibility for the February 14 Pulwama terror attack.
The suicide bomber rammed his explosive-laden vehicle into a CRPF convoy killing 40 central police force personnel.
In March, the move by countries like France, the US and the UK to ban Azhar was blocked once again by China, a key member of Permanent Five (P-5) in the UN Security Council.
In March after India had intensified the campaign to list Azhar as global terrorist, China had put a technical hold.
Barely 12 hours ago China indicated about withdrawing its objection, it looked the ban on Azhar was imminent.
“I can only say that I believe that this will be properly resolved,” Geng Shuang, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said in Beijing.
The UNSC decision to finally list Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar as global terrorist was welcomed by France. It said Paris has been relentlessly pleading for sanctioning Azhar, head of the terrorist group responsible for the Pulwama attack last February.
“France welcomes the designation today, by the UNSC 1267 Sanctions Committee, of Mr Masood Azhar on the UN’s ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions List,” French envoy to India Alexandre Ziegler tweeted.
He said: “France remains mobilised at all levels and all fora to take effective measures against terrorism”.
“For many years now, French diplomacy has been relentlessly pleading for sanctioning Mr Azhar, head of the terrorist group responsible, notably, for the Pulwama attack last February,” he wrote.
In application of its Monetary and Financial Code, France had adopted national sanctions against Masood Azhar on March 15.
“This decision taken at the United Nations Security Council signals the successful realisation of our efforts,” the ambassador wrote.
(With UNI inputs)
