India on Friday welcomed the latest move by the United States of America to designate Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) as a foreign terrorist organisation and impose sanctions on it. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said the move reflects the joint commitment of the two countries to firmly deal with terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
"We welcome the designation of the Hizbul Mujahideen that has been responsible for carrying out heinous acts of terrorism and taking innocent lives in the state of Jammu and Kashmir as a foreign terrorist organisation by the US," Raveesh said.
Two months back the US had declared HIM's Pakistan-based chief Syed Salahuddin as a global terrorist. US also strongly backed India at the United Nations Security Council's Al-Qaeeda's Sanctions Committee 1267 to designate Masood Azhar, founder of Jaish-e-Mohammad as a global terrorist.
"We feel that these designations reflect the joint commitment of India and the US to firmly deal with terrorism in all its forms and manifestations," Raveesh said. He added that it is an obligation for everyone to end moral, diplomatic and material support to such internationally designated terror outfits and individuals.
"No cause or reason can justify continued provision of support, shelter and sanctuary to such entities and individuals in any manner," he said.
The US on Wednesday had designated Hizbul Mujahideen as a "foreign terrorist organisation". The designation, which slaps a series of US sanctions on the outfit, came against the backdrop of upsurge in the terror activities of the militant group in Kashmir in recent months. The US decision marks a severe blow to Pakistan which has been projecting the militant group as a voice of Kashmiri people.