‘China Should Take A Clear Stand Against Terrorism’: US Urges Support To Designate Masood Azhar As A Terrorist

The United States government is making a strong attempt to sway China to let the UNSC 1267 Committee list Jaish-e-Mohammed supremo Masood Azhar as a terrorist, according to an anonymous source who spoke with The Hindu.

“We are working hard to convince China. It is not in China’s interest to shield terrorist groups operating in Pakistan, and as a responsible global power, China should take a clear stand against terrorism. So we expect China to join in designating Masood Azhar as a terrorist,” the unnamed official stated.

He added that the US could feel India’s frustration over the issue, even as Pakistan has faced international isolation in the aftermath of the 14 February Pulwama attack. The US wanted permanent action from the Pakistani state to end its terror backing.

Although Pakistan has reportedly taken more than 120 terror-link persons into custody and has seized Madrassas and terror assets, these moves have been seen before, only for Pakistan to backtrack and release terror suspects.

“We are not going to be satisfied with half-measures or temporary steps like we’ve seen in the past. I do think Pakistan has to consider the reaction of the international community, the senior administration official said in Washington. “There has been a lot of solidarity with India and a lot of frustration with the fact that Pakistan has still not cracked down on these groups. Pakistan has been pretty isolated over this situation,” remarked the official.

He explained that although world powers wanted a de-escalation of the India-Pakistan standoff, there was also a sense of shared frustration with India in the US over Pakistan providing sanctuary to terror outfits on its territory.