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India negotiating with China to name Azhar a global terrorist

New Delhi: In a major diplomatic initiative, Indian diplomats have started negotiating to take on board the Chinese Government for naming Jaish-e-Muhammad chief Masood Azhar an international terrorist in the UNSC resolution.

Gautam Bambawale, who retired as Indian Ambassador to Beijing three months ago, disclosed this development in the Annual lecture of the Indian Association of Foreign Affairs Correspondents this week. China has been repeatedly blocking the proposal in the UNSC to name Jaish chief as an international terrorist. Indian diplomats now have undertaken a proactive mode with the Chinese officials after the ghastly Pulwama attack which was mastermind by the JeM terrorist group.

Two days ago, a new proposal by the US, UK and France has also been submitted at the United Nations Security Council to designate Masood Azhar a global terrorist. Experts are of the opinion that if the proposal is passed, the Pakistan-based terror group and its chief will get the tag of being a 'UN-designated global terrorist', which in turn would subject him to the global travel ban, asset freeze and arms embargo.

The fresh proposal, moved on last Wednesday by the three permanent veto-wielding members of the UN Security Council, will also get Russia's backing because Moscow has supported the ban on Azhar in the past. All eyes, however, will be on China, which has repeatedly blocked similar proposals in the past.

The Security Council Sanctions Committee will have 10 working days to consider the fresh proposal submitted by the three members.

Ambassador Bambawale said India should have a transactional approach for overcoming China's objection to the listing of Masood Azhar under the United Nation's 1267 sanctions. He also said, "Perhaps China will permit the listing to move ahead if there is something we can do for them or offer them in return." Bambawale went on to say that "I am confident that our diplomats are already working on such a scenario."

When asked to clarify the content of the bargain, Bambawale said bargain did not mean a substantial exchange of land in the boundary or some economic concessions. It's not the involvement of big give away. He had given a recent example of India to agree to a proposal to meet China's aspiration for a major post in the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). Actually, India offered China the post of Vice President of FATF. Since a Vice Chairman of this organisation has a legitimate claim for becoming the head of the organisation China readily agreed to the proposal. And after that FATF put Pakistan in the greylist last October. This is the body which has the power to check and monitors the implementation of standards to check money laundering and terrorist funding.

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