Terrorism, a grave threat to innocent lives and international security, should be a matter that unites countries in their efforts to combat it. However, some nations, including China, have been actively defending and shielding known terrorists, which raises significant concerns. This article focuses on China's repeated blocking of Indian resolutions at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to put Abdul Rauf Azhar, a Pakistani terrorist, on the global sanctions list. China's actions not only question its commitment to counterterrorism but also cast doubt on its role as a responsible global superpower.
Abdul Rauf Azhar, the brother of Jaish-e-Mohammed Chief Masood Azhar and a known terrorist involved in numerous attacks, resides in Pakistan. These attacks include the Indian Airlines hijacking in 1999, the parliament attack in 2001, and the Pathankot attack in 2016. India sought to include Azhar on the UNSC sanctions list, but China objected, extending support to its "iron brother." This incident is not isolated; China has previously blocked resolutions targeting terrorists. For example, in August of the previous year, the US and India moved a similar resolution to sanction Azhar's predecessor, Abdul Rauf Masood, and China responded similarly. In October of the same year, India attempted to sanction two terrorists, Hafiz Saeed and Shahid Mahmud, but China blocked the proposals. This pattern of shielding Pakistani terrorists is deeply troubling.
What further exacerbates the situation is that some of these terrorists have been convicted by Pakistan for terror financing. Sajid Mir, involved in the 2008 Mumbai attacks and convicted by Pakistan for terror financing, is also shielded by China. Despite overwhelming evidence of their involvement in heinous acts of terrorism, China's objection to their sanctions prevents accountability and justice.
Pakistan's reluctance to allow UN sanctions on these terrorists stems from its desire to avoid tarnishing its image. Pakistan recently managed to exit the gray list of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), an international watchdog monitoring terror financing. Allowing UN-sanctioned terrorists to roam freely on Pakistani streets would contradict its efforts. Consequently, Pakistan relies on China to block any resolutions against these terrorists, resulting in a diplomatic and moral disgrace.
China's defense of terrorists contradicts its claims of combating extremism and terrorism. The Chinese government has faced severe criticism for its treatment of the Uighur Muslim minority, with reports of over a million Uighurs being detained under the pretext of countering extremism. However, China's failure to take action against convicted terrorists highlights its selective approach to terrorism, undermining its credibility as a rising superpower.
The responsibility to fight terrorism should not rest solely on individual nations but should be a collective effort of the international community. China's defense of terrorists who have targeted innocent Indians and attacked India's Parliament raises concerns about its commitment to global security. It is crucial for all nations, especially China, to prioritize the eradication of terrorism and hold those with blood on their hands accountable.
India faces limited options in countering China's persistent objections at the UNSC. As a permanent member of the Council, China's membership is not set to expire, allowing it to prolong objections to India's requests. Nevertheless, India can choose to persist with its resolutions, as China has eventually relented in the past after multiple attempts. Another option is to pursue the case through other avenues, such as the FATF. However, it is unjust and unacceptable that it should require a dozen attempts to designate a terrorist, as this is a matter of global security, not the petty politics of a wannabe superpower.
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