India on Monday did some plain-speaking with China over its blocking of the Indian bid to get Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) chief Masood Azhar banned by the UN and warned the global community of “serious consequences” if it continues to adopt “double standards” in dealing with terrorism.
During a bilateral meeting with her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj also asked for a “review” of the Chinese action at the UN.
“I told him (Wang) that if we were to fulfil our intention of fighting terrorism together, then China should review the stand it had taken at the UN 1267 Committee,” Swaraj told a joint Press conference with Wang and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey lavrov.
The three Ministers had earlier jointly chaired a Russia-India-China (RIC) Foreign Ministers meet here.
During a meeting with her Russian counterpart Sergey lavrov, Sushma raised the issues of killing of an Indian and the death of two Indian girl students in a fire in Russia, besides discussing key bilateral matters.
“External Affairs Minister raised the cases of Indian nationals Yasir Jawed (who was killed in Kazan) and Puja Kallur and Karishma Udai Bhosle (who died during a fire at the Smolensk State Medical Academy). FM lavrov briefed on the progress of the investigations,” External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said.
later, in her meeting with Wang, Swaraj emphasised the need for bilateral cooperation to combat the challenge of terrorism. If India and China were to combat terrorism unitedly, then Beijing should change its position of opposing India’s bid against Pathankot terror attack mastermind Azhar at the UN Sanctions Committee, Swaraj told Wang.
It was agreed during the Swaraj-Wang meeting that the two sides would remain in touch on the matter, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said.
last month, China had vetoed India’s bid to get Azhar designated as terrorist by the UN Sanctions Committee, maintaining that the case “did not meet the requirements” of the Security Council. The Chinese action evoked a strong reaction in India which said that it was “incomprehensible” that while JeM was banned by the UN, its chief was not.
This is not the first time China has blocked India’s bid to get Pakistan-based militant groups and leaders proscribed by the UN. The UN had banned the JeM in 2001 but India’s efforts for slapping of sanctions on Azhar after the 2008 Mumbai terror attack also did not fructify as China, that has veto powers, did not allow it apparently at the behest of Pakistan.
Earlier addressing RIC meet, Swaraj warned the international community of “serious consequences” if it continues to adopt “double standards” in dealing with terrorism.
“India believes that the foremost challenge to international security continues to be posed by international terrorism. The RIC countries must lead the way in getting the international community together to counter terrorism through joint action, including at the UN,” Swaraj said.
“We must not fail in this regard. If we continue to adopt double standards in dealing with terrorism it will have serious consequences not just for our own countries, but the international community as a whole,” she said.
While talking about the roadmap for the RIC to tackle the issue of terrorism, Swaraj said there cannot be any difference between good terrorists and bad terrorists.
“It is important that we give up the distinction between ‘good’ and ‘bad’ terrorists. We will also need to give up the tendency to differentiate between ‘my terrorists’ and ‘your terrorists’. A terrorist is a terrorist, one who commits crimes against humanity and not against any nation,” she said.
Swaraj said India, China and Russia have been bearing the brunt of terror networks and that time has come for the three countries to play a leadership role in combating terror globally.
On the Swaraj-Wang meeting, Swarup said they assessed the implementation of decisions taken during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to China last May.
“The Ministers appreciated the expanding trade and investment ties between India and China. They underscored the importance of strengthening people to people ties. In this context, Foreign Minister Wang Yi apprised External Affairs Minister of China’s decision to increase the number of Indian pilgrims for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Nathu la,” Swarup said.
Swaraj also met lavrov on the sidelines of the RIC meet here and raised issues of killing of an Indian and the death of two Indian girl students in a fire tragedy in this country besides discussing key bilateral matters.
Swaraj also expressed regret over an acid attack on a Russian girl in India recently and said India has ensured treatment for the girl in India as well as in Russia.
A 23-year-old Russian national was injured in the acid attack last November allegedly by her boyfriend following a quarrel between them.
Swaraj told Antonina Prokina, the mother of the victim, that trial in the case has begun and that she was in touch with Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Akhilesh Yadav in connection with the case so that the man behind the attack does not escape strong punishment.
lavrov thanked Swaraj for dealing with the case effectively. lavrov, on his part, said both countries should continue to work closely to further expand bilateral ties. (PTI)