China Blocks Blacklisting of Pakistan-Based Terrorist Sajid Mir, India Slams Beijing for "Lack of Genuine Political Will to Fight Terrorism"

India's senior diplomat Prakash Gupta slammed China at the UN for blocking the proposal to blacklist Sajid Mir, a Pakistan-based terrorist leader wanted for plotting the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai. Gupta alleged that China's move was driven by "petty geopolitical interests" and questioned the UN's ability to proscribe "established" terrorists. The move is seen as a major setback for global efforts to combat terrorism, as Mir has been linked to several terrorist organizations and has a bounty of USD 5 million on his head.

Key Takeaways:

• The US and India co-sponsored a proposal to blacklist Sajid Mir as a global terrorist under the 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council, but China blocked it.
• India's senior diplomat Prakash Gupta criticized China for blocking the proposal, saying it was driven by "petty geopolitical interests" and questioned the UN's ability to proscribe "established" terrorists.
• Mir is a key operative of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist organization and is wanted for his role in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.
• The 26/11 terror attacks resulted in the deaths of 166 people, including 26 foreign nationals, and Mir has a bounty of USD 5 million on his head.
• Despite being declared dead by Pakistan authorities, Mir was arrested and jailed for over 15 years in a terror-financing case in Pakistan last year.

Statistics:

• 166 people were killed in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, including 26 foreign nationals.
• Sajid Mir has a bounty of USD 5 million on his head for his role in the 26/11 terror attacks.
• Over 15 years after the attack, Mir's masterminds in Pakistan have yet to be brought to justice.
• The UN Security Council's 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee has been ineffective in proscribing "established" terrorists.

Sources:

• The Indian Express
• United Nations Security Council
• Contify.com