The designation of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN Security Council (UNSC) is a “victory for American diplomacy”, United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Thursday.
“Congrats to our team @USUN for their work in negotiating JEM’s Masood Azhar’s #UN designation as a terrorist. This long-awaited action is a victory for American diplomacy and the international community against terrorism and an important step towards peace in South Asia,” the top US official tweeted.
Congrats to our team @USUN for their work in negotiating JEM's Masood Azhar's #UN designation as a terrorist. This long-awaited action is a victory for American diplomacy and the international community against terrorism, and an important step towards peace in South Asia.
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) May 2, 2019
In a huge diplomatic victory for India and a blow to Pakistan, the UNSC declared Azhar a global terrorist on Wednesday, a move that was blocked by China for nearly 10 years.
The United Nations‘ 1267 sanctions committee has on Wednesday designated JeM chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist, after China, reportedly, removed its objection to Azhar’s listing.
“The US welcomes the addition of Masood Azhar to the UN 1267 ISIL and Al Qaeda Sanctions list,” a statement by a spokesperson for the US Mission in the United Nations (UN) said on Wednesday.
Soon after the sanctions committee that deals with Al Qaeda and its affiliates voted on Pakistan-based Azhar’s designation placing him under stringent sanctions that include a freeze on his assets and travel restrictions, Pakistan announced it would comply with the mandate.
Faisal said the UNSC sanction committee listing is governed by rules and its decisions were taken through consensus. He said it would be “false and baseless” over Indian media presenting the development as a “victory for India and validation of its stance”.