'Doublespeak': India's veiled dig at China over blocking of terrorist listings
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New Delhi, Mar 12: Taking a veiled dig at China, India has condemned the "countries" that use their veto powers to stop evidence-based terrorist listings at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ruchira Kamboj said that not giving any justification regarding the decisions on rejecting listing requests is "uncalled for" and "doublespeak...in tackling the challenge of terrorism".
China has always acted as a hypocrite in calling out terrorism. Pakistan, which is an ally, has been time and again providing haven to several terror groups. These groups have plotted and executed several anti-India activities, especially in Jammu and Kashmir. But Beijing has never acknowledged this fact and ignored it on international platforms like the United Nations.
"...We can no longer hide behind the smokescreen of the Intergovernmental Negotiations by delivering entrenched national positions in a process which has no time frame, and no text...."
— India at UN, NY (@IndiaUNNewYork) March 11, 2024
- PR in the United Nations Security Council today. pic.twitter.com/39x3J8riW4
“This is indeed a disguised veto, but an even more impervious one that indeed merits a discussion amongst the wider membership. For genuine, evidence-based listing proposals for globally sanctioned terrorists to be blocked, without giving any due justification, is uncalled for and smacks of double speak when it comes to the Council’s commitment in tackling the challenge of terrorism," she stated.
It is pertinent to mention that for a proposal to be adopted by the UNSC, it needs consensus from all member states.
“We can no longer hide behind the smokescreen of the Intergovernmental Negotiations by delivering entrenched national positions in a process which has no time frame, and no text," she said.
Ruchira Kamboj argued that the selection of chairs of subsidiary bodies and decision-making power must be given through an open process that intends to be transparent.
“The selection of chairs of subsidiary bodies and distribution of pen holderships must be made through a process which is open, which is transparent, which is based on exhaustive consultations and with a more integrated perspective. The consensus of the e-ten on chairs of subsidiary bodies, to be assumed by the E-10 themselves, must be absolutely honoured by the P-5," she said.
"As one of the largest troop-contributing countries, my delegation would like to reiterate that the concerns of the troop and police-contributing countries should be taken into consideration for better implementation of peacekeeping mandates. There is a need to review the agenda of the council and remove obsolete and irrelevant items from the agenda of the Security Council," Ruchira Kamboj added.
India also reiterated its call for UNSC reforms and asked nations that block the revision of giving permanent seats at the forum to contribute to making the Council ideal for the modern world.
There are at least 4 instances where Beijing had blocked the Pakistani terrorists in 2023.
Abdul Rehman Makki in June - He has been involved in raising funds, recruiting and radicalizing youth to violence, and planning attacks in India, especially in Jammu and Kashmir. It is pertinent to mention that Makki is the brother-in-law of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) chief and 26/11 mastermind Hafiz Saeed.
Sajid Mir in September - A top Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT) Commander and is in charge of the "India Setup" of LeT. It is one of the masterminds of the Mumbai Terror Attack (November 26, 2008). He was responsible for the largest ever overseas LeT terror attack resulting in the death of nationals of several countries including India and Western countries. During the attack, 175 people were killed (18 Police personnel, 122 people, 26 Foreigners and 9 terrorists) and 291 were injured ( 25 Police personnel, 243 people, 22 foreigners and one terrorist Ajmal Kasab).
Shahid Mahmood in October - Identified as a senior member of LeT terrorist group, Shahid Mahmood has been a member of the group since 2007. He was designated a global terrorist by the US Treasury Department in December 2016. The department’s press release pointed out that Mahmood claimed that LeT’s primary concern should be attacking India and America.
Abdul Rauf Azhar in August - He was involved in the hijacking of an Indian Airlines flight 814 in 1999 and the top commander of Pakistan-based proscribed terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM).