Don't politicise designation of terrorists: PM Modi veiled message to China in blocking Makki as terrorist

New Delhi, June 25: At the BRICS meet hosted by China, Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent out a veiled message saying that members of the group should understand each other’s security concerns and provide mutual support in designating terrorists. It is an apparent reference to China blocking the UN designation of a Pakistan-based terrorist Abdul Rehman Makki.

 

"We should understand security concerns of each other and provide mutual support in designation of terrorists and this sensitive issue should not be politicized," PM Modi raised this concern at the virtual summit of the Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa (Brics) grouping on Thursday.

 

Newsbharati had reported earlier that China, an ally of Pakistan, had blocked a joint proposal by India and the US to list Pakistan-based terrorist Abdul Rehman Makki as a global terrorist under the Al-Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the Security Council. He has been involved in raising funds, recruiting and radicalizing youth to violence, and planning attacks in India, especially in Jammu and Kashmir. Makki is the brother-in-law of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) chief and 26/11 mastermind Hafiz Saeed.

 

The proposal to list Makki under the UN Security Council sanctions regime was circulated to all members of the Council's 1267 Committee under a no-objection procedure till June 1 but China placed a "technical hold" on the proposal to list Makki.

 

 

Now, it is pertinent to mention that this tactic of blocking a Pakistani terrorists has been witnessed in case of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar under the UN Security Council’s Al-Qaeda and ISIL Sanctions Committee for almost a decade. However, it surrendered when there was international pressure on it.

 

Apart from that, BRICS leaders held discussions including in fields of Counter-Terrorism, Trade, Health, Traditional Medicine, Environment, Science, Technology & Innovation, Agriculture, Technical and Vocational Education & Training, and also key issues in the global context, including the reform of the multilateral system, COVID-19 pandemic, global economic recovery, amongst others.

 

Prime Minister called for strengthening of the BRICS Identity and proposed establishment of Online Database for BRICS documents, BRICS Railways Research Network, and strengthening cooperation between MSMEs. India will be organizing BRICS Startup event this year to strengthen connection between Startups in BRICS countries.