Finally, Masood Azhar is now added to UN terrorists’ list

After a decade of continuous efforts, the United Nations finally decided to designate Masood Azhar as a global terrorist. It all happened because China softened it’s stand on the matter, and thus, did the right thing.

The committee on the Islamic State and Al-Qaeda announced in a press release the designation of Azhar over his organisation’s ties to Al-Qaeda.

India had been seeking Azhar’s listing since 2016, but the latest push came after the Feb 14 Pulwama attack on the Central Reserve Police Force in India-held Kashmir, which was claimed by the JeM.

The Indian resolution was backed by UNSC permanent members the US, United Kingdom and France. China had been halting the process by applying technical holds.

However, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang said today that Beijing removed its objections after the proposal was “revised”, following which Azhar’s listing went through.

It’s a big victory for India. It will pressurize the Pakistan government to act against the JeM chief. Let’s see how India pounce or attack on the opening it just got.