In a huge diplomatic win for India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the United Nations on Wednesday designated Jaish chief Masood Azhar as international terrorist.
Taking to Twitter, India’s envoy to the United Nations, Syed Akbaruddin, wrote, “Big,small, all join together. Masood Azhar designated as a terrorist in @UN Sanctions list Grateful to all for their support.”
Big,small, all join together.
Masood Azhar designated as a terrorist in @UN Sanctions list
Grateful to all for their support. ??#Zerotolerance4Terrorism
— Syed Akbaruddin (@AkbaruddinIndia) May 1, 2019
When asked whether China has lifted the hold, Akbaruddin told news agency PTI that “yes, done.”
Reacting to the development, the Indian ministry of external affairs, according to ANI, said, “This is in accordance with India’s position & in line with the information that India has shared with the members of the Sanctions Committee regarding terrorist activities of Masood Azhar and JeM.”
The MEA added, “India will continue with its efforts through international forums to ensure that terrorist organizations and their leaders who cause harm to our citizens are brought to justice.”
China removed its hold on the proposal, which was moved by France, UK and the US in the Security Council’s 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee in February just days after the horrific terror attack against Indians security forces in Pulwama carried out by the Pakistan-based terror outfit.
The development is bound to help Modi and his party, the BJP, in the Lok Sabha polls by further boosting the prime minister’s image as someone who’s tough on terrorism.