DNA Edit: Pulwama effect – Beijing seems to have changed its stand on terrorism

Terrorism is one of the biggest threats facing mankind and the international community is steadfast in countering it. India as one of the victims has garnered sympathy from all quarters; evident from the reactions of the United Nations following the Pulwama attack. The UN Security Council has not only passed a unanimous resolution condemning the terror attack, but it has also used specific language proposed by India. In other words, it has voiced India’s demands on the global stage, which includes naming the Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed, and the arrests of all the terrorists who were behind the deadly assault on CRPF personnel. This signals a shift in China’s stand, which had refused to lift its “technical hold” on a proposal to declare Masood Azhar, a global terrorist under UN Security Council Resolution 1267, which prescribes a sanctions regime against designated terrorists and terrorist groups. 

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By repeatedly trying to protect Pakistan, it is protecting its commercial interests in China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Regardless of China’s concerns, the international community believes that “terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security”. Beijing shouldn’t fool itself into believing that Pak-sponsored militant outfits wouldn’t harm its interests. There can’t be any insurance against terror attacks. The US had already got a taste of it and Washington is now New Delhi’s close ally in the war against terrorism. China’s treatment of its Muslim Uyghur minority in eastern Xinjiang has already raised the hackles of some orthodox groups in Pakistan. 

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hough Islamabad has repeatedly assured Beijing on the security of CPEC, it is only a matter of time before the chickens come home to roost. At this point, being an all-weather friend to Pakistan may serve some of China’s short-term goals but, antagonising India and the global community will definitely have long-term adverse circumstances. One is inclined to believe that Beijing is gradually seeing the futility of backing Pakistan in such matters, though it’s too early to predict anything. As the UNSC statement said, “all states must, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, cooperate actively with the Government of India and all other relevant authorities in this regard”, it becomes incumbent upon China to do its bit. 

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Recall that more than once Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi had discussed during bilateral and multilateral summits the need to fight terrorism in a coordinated manner. It’s now Beijing’s turn to walk the talk and this is as good a time as any to rise to the occasion. The Chinese President is likely to come to India for an informal summit with PM Modi before the general elections, though nothing has been finalised as yet. President Xi can give a significant boost to bilateral ties with India by forcing Pakistan to mend its ways. If the Pulwama attack is any indication, Pakistani terror outfits, especially JeM, will be further emboldened to bleed India with a thousand cuts.