New Delhi/United Nations (New York): In a huge diplomatic success for India in the midst of poll season, Pakistan-based terrorist and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) chief Masood Azhar was finally designated a “global terrorist” by the United Nations on Wednesday after China reversed its stand and lifted its hold on India’s decade-old proposal.
China said that it took the decision after it found no objection to the listing proposal. “On this listing issue, China has been communicating with relevant parties in a constructive and responsible fashion. Recently, relevant countries revised and re-submitted the materials for the listing proposal to the 1267 Committee. After careful study of the revised materials and taking into consideration the opinions of relevant parties concerned, China does not have objection to the listing proposal,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi described it as a “big success” for the country’s efforts to root out terrorism.
The designation of Azhar as a global terrorist under the 1267 Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council (UNSC) will reportedly lead to a global financial assets freeze against him, a travel ban and an arms embargo. Assets freeze under the sanctions committee requires that all states freeze all funds and other financial assets of designated individuals.
