India's big diplomatic win at the United Nations Security Council came after a decade of lobbying and negotiating with countries to designate Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist. While that's seen as a first step to put pressure on Pakistan to end terror networks operating from its soil, it led to a political tussle between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party government and the opposition over the “omission” of the Pulwama attack in the security council's notice.
The Pulwama attack had already achieved due recognition from the United Nations Security Council in its release on Feb. 21, according to Syed Akbaruddin, India's permanent representative to the United Nations. While the Pulwama attack was the catalyst to ensure that India's effort succeeded, negotiations to brand Azhar as a global terrorist were ongoing years before, he told BloombergQuint in an interview.
If you have a victory in diplomatic terms, why would you bring that back to the table?Syed Akbaruddin, India's Permanent Representative To United Nations
BJP leaders were quick to credit Prime Minister Narendra Modi for this big win, highlighting his “assertive” and “firm stance on terror and Pakistan” as key factors in Azhar's blacklisting.
Arun Jaitley on UN declaring #MasoodAzhar as global terrorist: Govt & PM should be applauded. When the country wins, every Indian wins. It is unfortunate that some friends in the opposition think that if they join in this victory they might have to pay a political price for it. pic.twitter.com/qpgVuBCU7F
But the Congress expressed its disappointment saying the announcement did not mention the Pulwama attack or attacks carried out by Azhar in Jammu and Kashmir.
Pakistan based #MasoodAzhar's belated declaration as a global terrorist by UN is surely a welcome step.
India's fight against terrorism is resolute.
We are disappointed that UN listing doesn't mention Pulwama/J&K while listing Azhar's role in terrorist activities.
Statement:- pic.twitter.com/De7qfvWDS9India's push for a unanimous vote against Azhar involved convincing all the members of the United Nations Security Council that what they were doing was acting in concert against an individual who has a track record of being involved in unsavory activities in countries like India, Akbarudin said. “In the end, it was countries like the U.S., the U.K. and France that rallied behind India's cause to achieve a consensual outcome in the committee.”
Watch the full interview here:
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