External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar slammed China for not blacklisting terrorists and took a veiled dig at Pakistan over the issue of cross-border terrorism in India. He also said that those who politicise the UNSC 1267 Sanctions regime, to defend proclaimed terrorists, do so at their own peril.
During his UNGA address, the Indian Foreign Minister took an aim at China saying, “The United Nations responds to terrorism by sanctioning its perpetrators. Those who politicize the UNSC 1267 Sanctions regime, sometimes to the extent of defending proclaimed terrorists, do so at their own peril. Believe me, they advance neither their own interests nor indeed their reputation.”
On September 16, China put a hold on a proposal moved at the United Nations by the US and co-supported by India to designate Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist, Sajid Mir as a “global terrorist.”
He is India’s most wanted terrorist and was involved in the 2008 Mumbai attacks. The US moved the proposal and co-designated by India to blacklist Mir under the 1267 Al-Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council as a global terrorist.
It should be noted that Resolution 1267 provides for sanctions against individuals and entities that support or finance the acts or activities of ISIL, Al-Qaida, associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities.
Training guns at Pakistan, Jaishankar went on to say, “Having borne the brunt of cross-border terrorism for decades, India firmly advocates a ‘zero-tolerance’ approach. In our view, there is no justification for any act of terrorism, regardless of motivation. And no rhetoric, however sanctimonious can ever cover up blood stains.”
The External Affairs minister then invited all the member states of the UN to participate in the Counter-Terrorism Committee in Mumbai and New Delhi. He also said that India needs to create a global architecture that responds to the new tech tools deployed against open, diverse and pluralistic societies.
Talking about the newly-adopted reforms in UN Security Council, he said all the member states of the UN supported the reforms because it recognised that the current architecture is anachronistic and ineffective.
“It is also perceived as deeply unfair, denying entire continents and regions a voice in a forum that deliberates their future. India is prepared to take up greater responsibilities. But it seeks at the same time to ensure that the injustice faced by the Global South is decisively addressed,” Jaishankar said.
The Foreign Minister said, “Our call is to allow serious negotiations on such a critical matter to proceed sincerely. They must not be blocked by procedural tactics. Naysayers cannot hold the IGN process hostage in perpetuity. In these turbulent times, it is essential that the world listens to more voices of reason. And experiences more acts of goodwill.”
“India is willing and able on both counts. We believe and advocate that this is not an era of war and conflict. On the contrary, it is a time for development and cooperation,” he added.
