Explorer

US, France, UK engage with China to work on compromise for listing Masood Azhar as global terrorist

On Wednesday, China blocked for the fourth consecutive time a resolution at a UN Security Council Committee on designating Azhar, head of the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad group, as a global terrorist. The proposal was moved by the US, France and the UK.

New York: The United States and two other permanent Security Council members, France and Britain, are believed to be in intense "good faith" discussions with China to arrive at a "compromise" on the UN designation of Jaish chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist. And if that effort does not end up in the formal designation of Azhar, the three permanent members are planning to soon move a resolution for his listing in the most powerful wing of the UN which would be preceded by an open debate on the issue, according to people familiar with the matter. On Wednesday, China blocked for the fourth consecutive time a resolution at a UN Security Council Committee on designating Azhar, head of the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad group, as a global terrorist. The proposal was moved by the US, France and the UK. India had expressed disappointment over the Chinese stance and the original co-sponsors of the resolution had warned they will consider "other actions" to achieve their goal. While the internal consultations of the Security Council committee remain private, this time several Council members, frustrated at China's unreasonable stance to protect a terrorist, privately spoke to the media the negative role being played by Beijing. "If China continues to block this designation, responsible member-states may be forced to pursue other actions at the Security Council. It shouldn't have to come to that," a Security Council diplomat told PTI on Wednesday in an unusual tough warning to Beijing. In the last 50 hours, it is believed that the original sponsors of the Azhar resolution are having intense "good faith" consultations with China on what many familiar with the matter describe as a "compromise". This probably means Azhar would be designated as a global terrorist by the UN body, but the language of designation would include a language acceptable to China. China is believed to have suggested "certain changes" in the language of the terrorist designation. The US, Britain and France are believed to be currently looking at the suggestions. It is understood that there is back-and-forth exchange of texts on the matter. The three countries have indicated that they are willing to accommodate Chinese request for changes in the language as long as it does not change the substance of the resolution and it ends up designating Azhar as a UN global terrorist. But unlike in the past, the US, France, Britain and other members of the Security Council are not willing to wait for long to conclude their discussion with China. It is learnt that China has been informed by these countries that they are seriously looking for other options, in particular an open debate followed by a vote on a resolution to designate Azhar as a global terrorist, pretty soon. Not months, not weeks but days. This is the what Beijing has been conveyed. At the same time, officials of the these countries believe that China this time has been much more co-operative than in the past. But in case at any point the three countries get a feeling that China is not doing a good faith negotiation on the "compromise formula" that is being negotiated, they are ready with the other move. China, after its decision to put a technical hold on the resolution, has invited criticism and its stance has also resulted in an outrage in India. Beijing would have to calculate the risk of being isolate globally on the issue of fight against terrorism or signing off to a compromised language that would designate Azhar as a global terrorist, since except China, all other UNSC members supported the resolution. Getting Chinese support to designate Azhar as a global terrorist, at the UN, in any format, would be considered as a terrific accomplishment. The very fact that there has been discussions going on between China and the US, Britain and France, is considered as a positive development. Those familiar with China's working pattern are still not confident and that's the reason why they are seriously working on other options including an open debate in the Security Council, where Beijing might find it difficult to defend a terrorist in public.
View More
Advertisement
Advertisement
25°C
New Delhi
Rain: 100mm
Humidity: 97%
Wind: WNW 47km/h
See Today's Weather
powered by
Accu Weather
Advertisement

Top Headlines

Odd-Even Scheme In Delhi? Here's What Gopal Rai Said On Imposing The Scheme Amid Alarming Pollution Levels
Odd-Even In Delhi? Here's What Gopal Rai Said On Imposing Scheme Amid Alarming Pollution Levels
Delhi To Suspend Physical Classes For Class 10 And 12 Amid Pollution, Teaching To Go Online
Delhi To Suspend Physical Classes For Class 10 And 12 Amid Pollution, Teaching To Go Online
PM Modi Meets UK's Keir Starmer, French President Macron, discusses working closely in space & energy sectors
PM Modi Meets UK's Keir Starmer, French President Macron, discusses working closely in space & energy sectors
NCP (SP) Leader Anil Deshmukh Injured In Stone Pelting In Maharashtra's Katol, Rushed To Hospital
NCP (SP) Leader Anil Deshmukh Injured In Stone Pelting In Maharashtra's Katol, Rushed To Hospital
Advertisement
ABP Premium

Videos

Will We Get To Watch Gangs Of Wasseypur 3? Find Out from Writer-Actor Zeishan Quadri | ABP LiveJharkhand Report: Will Raj Sinha Secure a Hat-Trick This Time? How Much Benefit Will BJP Gain in Kolhan?Jharkhand Report: 'We Won't Let BJP Divide on Hindu-Muslim Lines,' Why Muslims in Jharkhand are Angry with BJPJharkhand Report: Jharia Public to Support Ragini, Ragini Singh Shares Plan to Win the Election

Photo Gallery

Embed widget