By P Mohan Chandran
Is there a price for peace? Is there a cost we must bear to uphold justice? And when does silence in the face of injustice become a crime in itself? These questions echo in the international corridors as we scrutinize a silent war that's been playing out at the United Nations, where one nation has been repeatedly blocking efforts to clamp down on global terrorism.
For the seventh time since 2009, China, an influential member of the UN Security Council, has blocked India's bid to sanction Pakistan-based terrorists under the 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee regime (As of May 2022, Russia has used its veto 121 times, the US 82 times, the UK 29 times, China 17 times, and France 16 times). The individual in the spotlight, Lashkar-e-Taiba leader Shahid Mahmood, was labeled a global terrorist by the US Treasury Department back in December 2016, highlighting the seriousness of the situation.
| | | |
|---|---|---|---|
Year | Terrorist | Organization | Blocked By |
2009
| Masood Azhar | JeM | China |
2016 | Masood Azhar | JeM | China |
2017 | Masood Azhar | JeM | China |
2019 | Masood Azhar | JeM | China |
2020 | Shahid Mehmood | LeT | China |
2021 | Sajid Mir | LeT | China |
2023 | Shahid Mehmood | LeT | China |
But why is China adamant on shielding individuals linked to terror activities? To comprehend this, we need to rewind back to the case of JeM founder, Masood Azhar, who was released by India in a hostage exchange in 1999. Despite JeM's well-documented involvement in the 2001 Parliament attack and the Mumbai 26/11 attacks, China repeatedly stalled UNSC's attempts to list Azhar as a global terrorist, stating an alleged lack of information on his terror activities.
This series of actions raises pressing questions about China's role in the international fight against terrorism. Supporting a nation indirectly by shielding terrorists from UN sanctions could potentially label the supporting country as a contributor to global terrorism. By this reasoning, China's persistent blocking of India's legitimate attempts to list Pak-based terrorists, such as Sajid Mir and Shahid Mehmood, raises the question: Is China, by its actions, on the side of peace or terror?
To quote Martin Luther King Jr., “In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” As China uses its clout to thwart international counterterrorism efforts, it isn't merely supporting Pakistan – a nation notorious for its links with terror organizations – but also indirectly perpetuating global terror. By doing so, China is pushing against the tide of international justice and peace.
While every country has a right to its geopolitical strategies, they must not come at the expense of global security. It is time for the international community to reassess their stand on China's dubious role in this regard. It's high time for every peace-loving nation to ask, should any country be allowed to stonewall the fight against global terrorism for its geopolitical gains?
As we end, we leave you with a question to ponder – Is it time to revise the rules of international diplomacy to ensure that the fight against terror isn't undermined by political maneuverings? And, more importantly, when does the act of shielding terrorists equate to the act of terrorism itself?
Do you agree that China is hindering global counter-terrorism?
Yes, it vetoes India in Security Council every time.
No, China is only protecting its national interest.
© 2023. P Mohan Chandran. All Rights Reserved.
21062023
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