UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has issued a statement condemning the Pulwama terror attack and underlining the need to hold those responsible accountable. Significantly, Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) has been named in the statement as having taken responsibility for the attack. “The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the heinous and cowardly suicide bombing in Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in over 40 Indian paramilitary forces dead and dozens wounded on February 14, 2019, for which Jaish-e-Mohammed [JeM] has claimed responsibility,” the statement said. Sources in the UN said the statement was released after prolonged negotiations. China wanted additional time to think it through as it had some concerns, they said.
France is also working, in parallel, to sanction JeM chief Masood Azhar at the UNSC. Similar action against Azhar in 2017 was blocked by China (India moved the 1267 Sanctions Committee to ban Azhar twice before in 2009 and 2016). UN Secretary General António Guterres called on India and Pakistan to defuse tensions and for “meaningful mutual engagement.” Condemning terrorism in all its forms as one of the most serious threats to international peace, the UNSC offered its condolences to those impacted by the attack.
The challenge in the Pulwama attack
In what appears to be a thinly veiled reference to Pakistan, the Council asked countries to cooperate actively with the Government of India. “The members of the Security Council underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice, and urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with the Government of India and all other relevant authorities in this regard,” the statement read.
Trump admin asks Pak, China to deny safe havens to terrorists
The Trump administration called on Pakistan and China to “uphold their responsibilities pursuant to UN Security Council resolutions to deny safe havens and support for terrorists,” even as President Donald Trump described the Pulwama attack as a “horrible situation” and said “it would be wonderful if they (India and Pakistan) get along”. The US formulation about denying safe havens and support to terrorists expressed through the State Department was addressed to “all countries”, but it was clearly directed at Islamabad and Beijing.
Last week, the White House said it “supported India’s right to self-defence against cross-border terrorism” following the Pulwama attack that was claimed by the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad. The support, expressed by US National Security Advisor John Bolton in telephone conversations with his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval, appeared to green light any punitive action India is likely to take following the terror attack.
Pakistan hosts and protects Jaish’s leader Masood Azhar and China helps its ally by thwarting UN efforts to designate him a global terrorist, ostensibly to protect Beijing’s economic investments in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and prevent greater extremist activity in Muslim-majority Xinjiang province, but also to harass New Delhi.
“That (the terrorist attack) was a horrible situation… I have watched… I have got a lot of reports on it. We will have a comment at an appropriate time. It would be wonderful if they (India and Pakistan) get along,” President Trump said in a brief response in the White House when asked about the attack.
The rising tension on the subcontinent has barely registered with the foreign policy community in Washington and the administration itself (except for regional experts) with its familiar focus on North Korea, China, and the Middle East, combined with newer crises in the American neighborhood, including in Venezuela.
In New York, Pakistan’s ambassador to the UN Maleeha Lodhi said she met Secretary General Antonio Guterres to brief him about latest developments and “asked him to play a role in helping to de-escalate tensions.” In response, the Guterres’ spokesperson said, “The Secretary General stresses the importance for both sides to exercise maximum restraint and take immediate steps to de-escalation, and his good offices are always available should both sides ask.”
New Zealand parliament condemns Pulwama attack
Meanwhile, the New Zealand Parliament has passed a resolution condemning the terrorist attack in Pulwama. Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters, who also holds the Foreign Ministry charge, stood up before the House and submitted a resolution - which was passed with an absolute majority.
The resolution expresses solidarity with the Indian government, stating that Auckland stands with New Delhi in this moment of grief. It also describes terrorism as one of the utmost challenges confronting the world.
