Pulwama Terror Attack: India, US Likely to Hold Talks Soon to Discuss UNSC Ban on JeM Chief Masood Azhar

During the talks, JeM chief Masood Azhar is likely to take the centre stage, with India likely to urge the US to bring another resolution for a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) ban on the terrorist.

New Delhi: India and the United States are likely to hold another round of dialogue amid the widespread anger over Pulwama terror attack, carried out by Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) militant Adil Ahmad Dar killing at least 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel in south Kashmir on Thursday evening.

During the talks, JeM chief Masood Azhar is likely to take the centre stage, with India likely to urge the US to bring another resolution for a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) ban on the terrorist, a The Times of India report said quoting sources.

Meanwhile, US National Security Adviser John Bolton has reportedly told his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval that America supports India’s right to self-defense. Bolton telephoned Doval on Friday morning to express his condolences for the Pulwama terror attack and offered the US’ full support to India in confronting terrorism. “I told Ajit Doval today that we support India’s right to self-defense. I have spoken to him twice, including this morning… and expressed US’ condolences over the terrorist attack,” he was quoted as saying.

Adding, he said, “The US has been very clear to Pakistan on ending support to terrorist safe havens. We have been very clear on that score… And, we are continuing to be in discussions we are going to have with the Pakistanis.”

The development holds importance as China on Friday did not give an assurance to India that it will back New Delhi’s appeal to list the UN-proscribed Pakistan-based terror group’s chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist. However, the country did express deep ‘shock’ over the dastardly attack in Pulwama.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang, in an apparent reference to External Affairs Ministry’s appeal to all members of the UN Security Council to list Azhar as a global terrorist, had said, “As for the issue of listing, I could tell you that the 1267 Committee of Security Council has a clear stipulation on the listing and procedure of the terrorist organisations”. Adding further, he said, “JeM has been included in the Security Council terrorism sanctions list. China will continue to handle the relevant sanctions issue in a constructive and responsible manner.”

China, a veto-wielding member of the UNSC and a close ally of Pakistan, has consistently blocked moves first by India and later by the US, the UK and France to designate Azhar as a global terrorist by the 1267 Committee by putting technical holds.

On Thursday, India slammed Pakistan over the Pulwama terror attack and asked the neighbouring country to stop supporting terrorists and dismantle terror infrastructure operating from its soil.

India also strongly reiterated its appeal to all members of the international community to support the proposal to list terrorists, including JeM chief Azhar, as a designated terrorist under the 1267 Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council, and to ban terrorist organisations operating from territories controlled by Pakistan.

(Inputs from PTI)