China blocks UN move to add Pak terrorist to the international list

Government sources said China's decision to block a proposal by India and the US to designate Pakistan-based Abdul Rehman Makki as an international terrorist show double standards.

On June 16, the UN sanctions committee met with Beijing placing a technical hold, a measure that can last up to six months. India said China's move is signalling "double standards" as the country has claimed to combat terrorism.

India and the US jointly proposed to list Makki under the UN Security Council's Al-Qaeda and ISIL Sanctions Committee on June 1. Both nations have already listed Makki as a terrorist under domestic laws.

A government source told PTI that the decision by China is extremely unfortunate given the overwhelming evidence against Makki. "China should reflect on its response that signals double standards on combating terrorism."

China has earlier taken similar actions against proposals to designate Maulana Masood Azhar, the chief of Pakistan-based and UN-proscribed terrorist entity Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). "It runs counter to China's claims of combating terrorism".

Makki has been involved in raising funds, recruiting and radicalising youths to resort to violence, and planning attacks in India, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir, said Indian officials. They added that protecting well-known terrorists will undermine China's credibility.

Makki is the head of the political affairs of Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT) and Jamat ud-Dawa (JuD). He has also served as the head of LeT's foreign relations department. Makki was reportedly arrested by the Pakistan government in 2019 and convicted of terrorism financing in 2020.

The LeT has been involved in26/11 Mumbai terror attack, Red Fort Attack in 2000, Rampur CRPF Camp attack in January 2008, Khanpora (Baramulla) attack in 2018, Srinagar attack in June 2018, and Gurez/Bandipora attack in 2018.

India warned that Beijing is also exposing itself to the growing threat of terrorism.