The United Nation Security Council's 1267 committee will decide at 3 pm New York time or 1.30 am Indian Standard Time on March 14 on the listing of Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar as an international terrorist. The entire decision hinges on China.
India has urged UNSC to list Azhar under the UN terror list. Azhar's Pakistan-based JeM was responsible for the Pulwama attack that killed 40 CRPF personnel on February 14.
Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, "All members of the UNSC are aware of JeM training camps in Pakistan and the JeM chief's presence in Pakistan. We call upon all members of UNSC to list Azhar as a designated terrorist under 1267 UN Sanctions Committee."
A UNSC listing will lead to freezing of Azhar's assets and his inclusion in the global no-flight list. It will also boost New Delhi's case that Pakistan has been an epicentre of terrorism. France along with the US and UK had proposed the listing of Azhar in the last week of February. Russia's has also supported the move.
New Delhi's only worry is China. Beijing has blocked India's efforts to get Azhar listed thrice since 2016. Asked about Azhar's listing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lu Kang on Monday said matter can only be resolved through a "responsible manner".
Kang said, "China has all along participated in relevant discussions in a responsible manner and in strict accordance with the rules of procedure and provisions of the 1267 Committee. China will continue to communicate and work with relevant parties in a responsible manner so as to properly resolve this matter. Only by making a decision through responsible and serious discussions can we find a lasting solution."
While pressure has been growing on Islamabad to act on terrorist, from Washington to Kabul, China has been reluctant to call out it all-weather ally Pakistan primarily due to economic consideration which includes the China Pakistan Economic Corridor which provides the country connectivity to west Asia.
US Deputy Spokesperson of the state department Robert Palladino reacting to Azhar's listing said, "we will continue to work with the sanctions committee to ensure that the list is updated and that it's accurate."
