New Delhi August 13: India on Friday said the technical hold placed by China on the listing proposal for Jaish e Mohammed Deputy Chief Abdul Rauf Asghar was the “most uncalled for” and the international community has been unable to speak in one common voice against terrorism. China on Thursday came in defense of Abdul Rauf Asghar and thwarted India’s bid to list him as the UN Security Council designated terrorist. Reacting to the issue, MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, “We note with regret that a technical hold has been placed on the listing proposal for Abdul Rauf Asghar. It’s unfortunate that when it comes to our collective battle against terrorism, the international community has been unable to speak in one common voice. “Bagchi said Abdul Rauf Asghar has been proscribed under both Indian and US laws already and has been involved in a number of terrorist acts. “Therefore, the placing of technical hold against such a wanted terrorist is most uncalled for.
India will continue to pursue its principled position of bringing these terrorists to justice including to the UN security council resolution 1267 sanctions regime,” Bagchi said. India has maintained that there should be no double standards in dealing with terrorists and “the practice of placing holds and blocks without giving a justification must end.”It’s most regrettable that genuine and evidence-based listing proposals pertaining to some of the most notorious terrorists of the world are being placed on hold. Double standards and continuing politicization have rendered the credibility of the sanctions committee regiment an all-time low,” he said quoting India’s stand in the UNSC. All other 14 members of the United Nations Security Council agreed to impose sanctions on Abdul Rauf Asghar but only China, a permanent veto-wielding member of the UN, stood out against the listing of the dreaded terrorist and decided to hold the proposal saying it required more time to study. It will now have six months to make a decision. The proposal was moved by India, co-sponsored by the US, to list Abdul Rauf Asghar in the UN Security Council 1267 Sanctions Committee.
