China's dubious stance

Pakistan Foreign Minister, Shah Mahmood Qureshi is presently on an official visit to China, holding a bilateral strategic dialogue with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi. This visit is significant as the political and diplomatic developments revolving around Pakistan in the aftermath of Jaish e Mohammad (JeM) sponsored dastardly terror attacks in Pulwama has led to a flurry of activities in terms of Pakistan further strengthening its relations with China.

During Quereshi's ongoing visit, the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, assured firm support to Pakistan to protect its territorial integrity and dignity. On his part, the visiting Pakistani FM highlighted (March 19) the 'rapidly deteriorating situation' in Kashmir. The Chinese host appreciated Pakistani attempts to ease tension with India particularly in de-escalating aggression on the borders in the backdrop of Pulwama and subsequent aerial attacks in Balakot and air intrusions.

China also assured Pakistan in categorical terms about extending what it described rock solid and vibrant support to Pakistan and that too under any circumstance. This reassurance easily endorses the reading about a new foray into Sino-Pak ties, taking them to new heights in the light of happenings in Pulwama and in the aftermath. Meanwhile, there are reports that Prime Minister Imran Khan is expected to visit China next month for the second round of talks of Belt and Road Forum meeting. This occasion will give yet another convenient opportunity to these two countries on India-bashing and reinforcing their already existing strong bondings.

In the light of the Sino-Pak talks, it can be safely assumed that JeM chief Masood Azhar was talked in detail between the two ministers especially in view of China putting a technical hold (March 14) on the global request for declaring Masood Azhar a terrorist under UN Security Council resolution in 1267 committee. No specific reason has been given by China for this mischievous act apparently to side with Pakistan, making India uncomfortable. As known, the initial hold is for six months and later it would be extended for another three months.

Sadly, the ISIS and Al Qaeda committee on sanctions was not able to come to a decision on the proposal for listing terrorist Masood Azhar under the UN sanctions regime. China's impediment has also prevented the international community to formally designate Azhar as a terrorist despite his complicity in the Pulwama attacks and he himself owning up for perpetrating this act of terror. It may be recalled that the listing request was initiated by the US, the UK and France on February 27. Significantly, this is the fourth time in four years that China has opposed the listing of Azhar as a global terrorist. Earlier, China had vehemently opposed Azhar being declared a terrorist for his complicity in the Mumbai terror attacks of November 26.

In the meantime, mint fresh reports indicate that Germany has backed French measures to freeze Pakistan's and Azhar's assets. Also, hectic discussions are in the European Union (EU) to try and list Masood Azhar as a terrorist. Earlier, EU could not list a terrorist or an organisation which was not already listed by the UN but according to the new rules of EU, modified a few years ago, it can list anyone involved in terrorism if all other member states agreed for the same.

China's weakness for Masood Azhar is now universally known and India's opposition to China's hardened stance continues to irk the latter. Possibly to assuage India's angst, Chinese Ambassador to Lou Zhaohui expressed (March 18) optimism that Indo-China bilateral issue will be solved through bilateral consultations. Such statements are only cosmetic and devoid of any substance as always noticed in the past.

It needs to be overemphasised that Uighurs are treated in the worst possible manner in the backyard of China and the Chinese persecution on them are well-known meriting universal condemnation. Its a sad and unfair commentary on the Chinese policy and leadership that on one hand they are reluctant to declare Masood Azhar as a terrorist whose hands are tainted with blood with solid evidence and on the other, China declares Uighurs as terrorists who simply want their legitimate rights to be exercised including pursuit of religion without resorting to any acts of terror. This exposes China of its double-faced approach towards its policy of terror.

This said, what's to be taken note of, and that too with utmost seriousness is the growing strategic ties between China and Pakistan which may be detrimental to India's strategic interests. Pakistan Foreign Minister's ongoing high profile visit to Beijing and the agenda, visible and invisible, are pointers towards this concern.

(The author is a retired IPS officer, a security analyst, and a former National Security Advisor to the Republic of Mauritius. The views expressed are strictly personal)