Context: The UN Security Council, led by France, UK and the U.S., has rejected attempts by Pakistan to designate Indians as terrorists under its 1267 Committee for Counterterrorism Sanctions.
Issue

• In September 2019, Pakistan had alleged that four Indians working in Afghanistan, formed an Afghanistan-based “Indian terror syndicate” that was organising the banned terror groups Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Jamaat-Ul-Ahrar (JuA) to carry out attacks in Pakistan.
• Pakistan and China also moved the joint proposal to declare one of these four, as a sanctioned terrorist with links to TTP and JuA.
• This proposal received a veto from the USA in UNSC.
• Pakistan later claimed it had made a statement at an Open Debate of the Security Council on the Report of the Secretary-General on the Threats to International Peace and Security posed by Terrorism Actions, accusing India of terrorism.
• However, the UNSC President had refused to take cognisance of the statement, as Pakistan is not a member of the UNSC.
• India formally protested against this calling this a false claim.
• In July 2020, Pakistan moved the 1267 Resolution Sanctions Committee to designate the four Indians as global terrorists.

Current Scenario

• The UNSC committee decided to block the designations of four Indian names proffered by Pakistan, to be designated as terrorists.
• Since the evidence was not provided by Pakistan, officials said the committee decided to block or reject all the names.
• According to sources, all five countries (US, UK, France, Germany and Belgium) placing the hold also blocked it, although U.S., UK and France were prime movers, indicating that the other permanent members, China and Russia, did not try to block the move by Pakistan.

Reasons for Pakistan’s Actions

• The tension between India and Pakistan has escalated after the abrogation of special status to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 in August 2019, which was heavily objected by Pakistan.
• Pakistan released a new political map that included all of Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Sir Creek and Junagadh on the completion of one year of abrogation of Article 370.
• After repeated attempts (in 2009, 2016 and 2017) to list Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad chief as “global terrorist”, India finally succeeded in getting him listed in 2019. This move was not received well by Pakistan as it tainted its international image as a terrorism-supporter.
• Pakistan also received another extension on the greylist of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) until October 2020.
• It also faced setbacks on other fronts like the United States slamming its record on terrorism, including its failure to act against groups like the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
• Pakistan also opposed India’s leadership in dealing with the Covid-19 crisis in the SAARC region which was criticized by India.
• Pakistan’s requests to get Indians listed in the 1267 sanctions are also being seen as attempts to target India ahead of January 2021, when India will join as a non-permanent member for a two year term at the UNSC.

About UNSC Resolution 1267 Sanctions Committee

• The UNSC 1267 Committee of the UN Security Council was established as a result of resolution 1267 (in 1999).
• It is also known as the AlQaida and Taliban Sanctions Committee.
• The Committee comprises all 15 members of the UNSC and decides unanimously and secretly.
• It was established for the purpose of overseeing the implementation of sanctions measures imposed on Taliban-controlled Afghanistan for its support of Osama bin Laden.
• Eventually the committee has been modified and strengthened by subsequent resolutions.
• Now, if an individual/organisation is included in the 1267 list, it helps in restricting their movement, financial penalties and assets freeze among others.

Road Ahead

• While India’s role in combating terrorism has been internationally acclaimed, Pakistan is constantly facing rebuke on not doing enough to deal with terrorism on its soil. Rejection of Pakistan’s attempts to list Indians as terrorists will only taint Pakistan’s image in the global community.
• In light of recent conflict between India and China and closeness of China with Pakistan, India needs to be concerned for its security. International support is crucial for India amidst rising tension with its neighbourhood.
• The recent ceasefire violations by Pakistan are just another proof of lack of seriousness on its behalf in engaging peacefully with India. Although, India must not give up on establishing better diplomatic ties with Pakistan, until Pakistan takes a strong step towards elimination of state-backed terrorism, the likelihood of peace between India and Pakistan will remain low.