Beijing cannot shield Pakistan on terror for long
New Delhi has responded sensibly to China's blocking of an Indian initiative at the United Nations to designate Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar a terrorist. It has neither gone overboard in its criticism nor remained meek. An Indian official, expressing the country's disappointment, said the matter had been taken up with Beijing at the ‘highest levels’. At the same time, he added that the issue would not ‘flow over' into areas India and China have been exploring jointly or actively collaborating in. It would have been poor diplomacy to let the issue adversely impact economic ties the two nations share or the prospect of Chinese funds flowing into the various multi-billion dollar infrastructure projects in this country. Disappointing as Beijing's action has been, there are ways to handle the issue. In any case, the recent instance was not the first; China had earlier too blocked a similar move by India and allowed Azhar to escape the global taint. Moreover, had New Delhi to over-react, it would have probably hardened China's posture and any future hope of Beijing reviewing its position would have been dashed. It's necessary for New Delhi to keep Beijing engaged on the matter. On its part, a Chinese official has clarified that his country had not vetoed India's demand but merely put it on ‘technical hold' since the issue lacked clarity. Of course, nothing could be clearer than the fact that Masood Azhar is a terrorist who has been involved in attacks on India. Yet, if China has decided to ignore the reality, it is doing so not out of conviction but from the compulsion of an ‘all-weather’ friendship it shares with both Islamabad and Rawalpindi. China has a lot going in Pakistan in terms of expanding its economic footprint in the Asian region, most notably the China Pakistan Economic Corridor a more than 2,400-long road that traverses through restive regions to link the port town of Gwadar in Pakistan to China's southern Xinjiang, and is estimated to cost more than $45 billion. Given its deep economic, political and military engagements with Pakistan and its history of backing Pakistan against India on innumerable occasions, Beijing’s stand is not surprising.
It can be argued that, as these engagements broaden, Beijing will further harden its position against India vis-à-vis Pakistan and that India cannot expect a turnaround in such policy. This is theoretically plausible. But one needs to take into account the fact that China will look increasingly isolated if it continues to block India's attempts. Not a single responsible member of the United Nations, and certainly not the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, support Beijing on the issue. China can only delay but not destroy New Delhi's plan. Meanwhile, India has to keep working patiently but aggressively to bring the Jaish chief and those other anti-India terrorists based in Pakistan such as lashkar-e-Tayyeba chief Hafiz Saeed to book.