China has once again blocked a proposal by India and the United States at the United Nations to designate Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT) terrorist Sajid Mir as a global terrorist. Mir is wanted in India for his involvement in the 26/11 Mumbai terrorist attacks, and the United States has placed a bounty of $5 million on his head for his role in the Mumbai terror attacks.
The proposal, which aimed to blacklist Mir under the 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council as a global terrorist, was blocked by Beijing. The designation would have subjected Mir to an assets freeze, travel ban, and arms embargo. China had previously put a hold on the proposal in September last year and has now once again blocked it.
Mir’s role as the operations manager for the attacks, playing a leading role in their planning, preparation, and execution, has been acknowledged by the US State Department. Despite his imprisonment in a terror-financing case in Pakistan earlier this year, doubts about his alleged death raised concerns among Western countries, demanding proof of his demise.
This move by China comes just hours before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled state visit to the United States. The repeated blocking of proposals to blacklist Pakistan-based terrorists by China under the UN Security Council’s sanctions committee has been a recurring issue. In October last year, similar proposals to blacklist LeT founder Hafiz Saeed’s son Talha Saeed and Shahid Mehmood, deputy chief of the LeT’s front organization, the Falah I Insaniyat Foundation, were also blocked by China.
China’s opposition to these proposals raises questions about its stance on global counter-terrorism efforts and its support for individuals involved in heinous acts of terrorism. The blocking of such designations hampers international efforts to bring perpetrators of terrorist attacks to justice and undermines the fight against terrorism as a whole.
The inability to designate individuals like Sajid Mir as global terrorists not only affects the pursuit of justice for the victims of the 26/11 attacks but also raises concerns about the commitment of the international community to combating terrorism and ensuring the security and safety of nations around the world.
As the fight against terrorism continues, it is imperative for countries to work together and address the challenges posed by terrorist organizations and their networks. The blocking of crucial designations at the UN hampers these collective efforts and sends a worrisome message about the international community’s resolve in combating terrorism.
The proposal’s rejection highlights the need for increased diplomatic efforts and cooperation among nations to ensure that terrorists are held accountable for their actions and to prevent the recurrence of such devastating attacks in the future.
The international community must continue to exert pressure on countries that harbor and support terrorists, and work towards a unified approach in combating terrorism in all its forms, regardless of geopolitical considerations. The fight against terrorism requires a concerted global effort and unwavering commitment to upholding justice and the security of nations.
Sources By Agencies
