New York: India’s fight against terrorism and pinning down JeM chief Masood Azhar will enter a decisive phase on Wednesday. The United Nation’s Security Council will vote on a resolution to designate Azhar as a global terrorist.
The vote will take place around midnight (IST) and India remains upbeat. This is because four out of five members of the security council have supported India’s position on Azhar following the Pulwama terror attack that claimed the lives of 42 jawans.
The United States on Tuesday said Azhar meets the criteria to be designated as a global terrorist and not doing so is against regional stability and peace.
China is the only member nation in the security council which has blocked previous attempts to designate Azhar as a global terrorist on the ground that there is not enough evidence against him.
Proclaiming Azhar as a global terrorist will be a big diplomatic victory for India.
Asset freeze
All member states of the United National are required to freeze without delay the funds and other financial assets or economic resources of designated individuals and entities.
Travel ban
All member states are required to prevent the entry into or transit through their territories by designated individuals.
Arms embargo
All member states are required to prevent the direct or indirect supply, sale and transfer from their territories or by their nationals outside their territories, or using their flag vessels or aircraft, of arms and related material of all types, spare parts, and technical advice, assistance, or training related to military activities, to designated individuals and entities.
The sanctions committee also oversees the implementation of the sanctions measures and reports annually to the Security Council on the implementation of these measures.
Azhar’s designation as a global terrorist will force Pakistan to act against him and individuals and entities associated with him. This will effectively mean total immobilization of Azhar and shutdown of his organization and its institutions such as terror camps and madrasas.
Should the security council vetoes from designating Azhar as a global terrorist, India is likely to explore other options on its table. Some reports have even suggested that India might resort to military action to hunt him down.
