External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stated that terrorism should not be used as a “political tool” and that the notion that something is blocked without giving a reason challenges common sense amid repeated holds on proposals to designate terrorists based in Pakistan under the UN sanctions regime.
“We think any person choosing a process should be open and honest about it. Therefore, the notion that anything is banned without a just sort of defies logic. “Following his speech to the UN General Assembly high-level session on Saturday to conclude the New York portion of his trip to the US, Mr. Jaishankar talked to a group of Indian media.
S. Jaishankar, the minister of external affairs, said that proposals to designate terrorists based in Pakistan under the UN sanctions regime have repeatedly been delayed. He added that terrorism should not be used as a “political tool” and that the idea that something is blocked without a justification challenges common sense.
“We believe anyone deciding on a process should be upfront and truthful about it. Therefore, the idea that anything should be prohibited without reason contradicts logic.” Mr. Jaishankar spoke to a group of Indian reporters after completing the New York part of his journey to the US on Saturday by addressing the UN General Assembly high-level session.
China, a permanent member of the Security Council with veto power, has consistently blocked efforts by the US, India, and other allies to add Pakistan-based terrorists to the Council’s 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions blocklist.
Last week, China blocked a US-sponsored resolution at the UN that sought to designate Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist Sajid Mir as a global terrorist. Mir is wanted for his alleged role in the 26/11 Mumbai terrorist attacks.
China blocked a US and Indian resolution to blocklist Abdul Rauf Azhar, the brother of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JEM) leader Masood Azhar and a key figure in the Pakistan-based terror group, at the UN last month. Abdul Rauf Azhar, a 1974 birth year, was sanctioned by the US in December 2010.
A joint request from India and the US to include terrorist Abdul Rehman Makki in the 1267 Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council was put on hold by China in June of this year at the last minute.
The message is that this is “not inter-state politics which we are talking about,” Mr. Jaishankar said, adding that he hoped that reason would win out and that people would, first of all, not arbitrarily or politically obstruct.
“We want people to understand that terrorism is not a political issue. It shouldn’t be utilized as a political instrument, and its implications shouldn’t be politicized.
“Everyone will respond in the affirmative if you ask if terrorism is a shared threat at the UN. So we are saying well, if that’s what your position is, then why don’t your policies and your actions follow up on it,” he said.
During a ministerial discussion on Ukraine this week in the Security Council, Mr. Jaishankar spoke in front of the Chinese Foreign Minister. He stressed the importance of the fight against impunity for achieving peace and justice. On this matter, the Security Council must convey an unequivocal statement.
He stated, “Politics should never be used as an excuse to avoid responsibility. not even to encourage impunity. Regrettably, we have recently witnessed this in this Chamber when it comes to approving some of the most feared terrorists in the world.”
“This Council must consider the messages we send on impunity if heinous crimes committed in broad daylight go unpunished. If we want to maintain trust, there must be consistency, “added he.
