Global Biggies Unite Against Masood But China Stays Away From Gang

The United States’ decision to move the United Nations for banning Jaish-e-Muhammad chief Masood Azhar is significant as it indicates a growing opinion among key international players to take action against terrorists of all hues and shades. But without Pakistan’s active participation and cooperation the move is unlikely to be effective. 

Interestingly, China has stuck to its stated position of blocking the move to designate Azhar as a global terrorist even as United Kingdom and France have also joined the US initiative. But it is not clear yet what position Russia, the other member in the UN Security Council will take on this issue. It can be assumed, however, that the Moscow leadership will also go along with the move since India had been seeking to get him banned for his alleged role in the Pathankot terror attack. 

Though, it continues to pose two problems. One is from China and its opposition to the move. As a member of the UNSC China has shown little interest in joining others in isolating Pakistan at the highest international forum and it has the veto rights to scuttle any move that the others may bring against the JeM chief. Two, whatever action has to be taken against Azhar will ultimately be done in Pakistan and this cannot take place without the help of the Pakistani government. 

A few days back it had put Hafiz Saeed, the mastermind of the 26/11 Mumbai terrorist attacks, under house arrest. Though many saw the action against Saeed as a move in anticipation of Trump’s proposed action to lump Pakistan with seven other Muslim-dominated country and making the entry of their nationals into the US difficult. Islamabad claimed the action against Saeed was taken in “national interest.”

 The Nawaz Sharif government now has two options before it. Under growing international pressure it can either ask Azhar to go into hiding for the dust to settle down before he and the Jem re-emerges under a new name and continue with their activities. Or, it can take Azhar into custody and put him on trial in Pakistan to show that his government is sincere in its effort to clean up the country from the growing influence of the jehadi elements.

Sections in the Indian establishment believe that PM Sharif is now in a much stronger position since appointing two trusted generals as the army chief and head of the ISI. If this is true and he is sincere in sprucing up Pakistan’s international image and also serious in normalizing relations with India, he can demonstrate both by taking action against Azhar. 

Otherwise, Indo-Pak ties will not only be in the deep freeze for a longer period, the development will also add fresh strains in Sino-Indian relations.