Sandeep Dikshit
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, April 30
China today dropped hints that it would let go its stay on Pulwama attack accused Masood Azhar being declared a global terrorist, but the move might not bring immediate electoral cheer to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said sources.
Amid reports that China will drop its technical hold on global sanctioning of the JeM chief on May 1, Beijing made three points, all of which hint an end to the decade-long deadlock.
China said most UN Security Council members favour settlement of the listing issue within the 1267 committee. This means it has ironed out differences with the US, France and Germany, who wanted the issue to be taken out from the 1267 committee, a subsidiary panel, to the main plenary of UNSC.
Second, it said relevant consultations are going on within the committee and have achieved some progress. This means the subject matter had moved beyond a stalemate that a technical lock implies. Third, China mentions that joint efforts of all parties are required to “properly resolve” the issue, that suggests though it may soon end its filibustering, the formalities could linger on, thus denying PM Modi a diplomatic triumph in time for the Phase V of polling on May 6.
“This Labour Day will be very meaningful for both countries,” said sources and hoped once Azhar was blacklisted, Chapter VII of UN would apply, which meant the countries were obliged to take action against him.
Sources, however, discounted suggestions that the die has been cast for Azhar’s blacklisting after Chinese President Xi Jinping advised Pakistan PM Imran Khan to meet India half-way, saying “China has given these suggestions in many standoffs”.
What happens if he is blacklisted
- Pakistan would have to freeze his assets, impose a travel ban and ensure Masood Azhar is not given access to arms
- Not clear if Azhar would remain a free citizen as in the case of Hafiz Saeed, another UNSC-sanctioned terrorist
from The Tribune http://bit.ly/2vvQsD3
via Today’s News Headlines
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