China dispels hopes of early breakthrough on NSG

[Hindustani78]

http://zeenews.india.com/india/all-...rules-china-on-masood-azhars-ban_1975675.html

Beijing: Reacting guardedly to India's diplomatic protests over its move to block US resolution to list Pakistan-based JeM leader Masood Azhar as a terrorist, China on Friday hoped all members of the UN Security Council who are part of the anti-terrorism committee will follow rules.

"Will check on reports of India's diplomatic protest," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang told media briefing here when asked about yesterday's demarche by India over China putting a technical hold of US resolution in the 1267 Committee of the UNSC to designate entities involved in terrorism.

Lu said China already reiterated its stand on its technical hold two days ago.

"China is a responsible member of the UNSC as well as a subsidiary organ. China has always been acting in accordance with UNSC resolutions and rules of procedure of its subsidiary organs. We hope that all members of the security council and its affiliation would follow the rules of the procedures," he said.

On February 8, Lu defended China's move to block a US attempt to list Azhar in the UN saying that the "conditions" have not yet been met for Beijing to back the move.

He said Beijing resorted to this move to allow the "relevant parties" to reach a consensus.

"Last year 1267 Committee of the UN Security Council has discussed the issue regarding listing Masood in the sanctions list. There were different views with no consensus reached," Lu said.

"As for the submission once again by relevant countries to list him in the sanctions list, I would say the conditions are not yet met for the Committee to reach a decision," he said.

This is the second year China has blocked attempts to bring about a UN ban on Azhar which would warrant Pakistan to act against him.

Jaish-e-Muhammad, a terrorist organisation based in Pakistan, has already been listed by the 1267 Committee.

India moved for UN ban against him in March last year accusing of masterminding the Pathankot terrorist attack.

China first blocked for six months followed by three months technical hold, which ended on December 31 last year.

The US along with the UK and France approached the Committee again for the ban and Beijing once again put a six months technical hold on it.


First Published: Friday, February 10, 2017 - 18:37

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/nati...scuss-friction-points-like-nsg-azhar-mea.html
New Delhi: India and China will hold their first Strategic Dialogue on February 22 in Beijing during which the two sides will discuss key issues of mutual "concern and interest" including "friction points" such as Masood Azhar and NSG.

Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar and Executive Vice Chairman of China hang Yesui will co-chair the meet to discuss "all issues of mutual interest in a bilateral, regional, and international domain", External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said on Thursday.


Acknowledging that there are "friction points" in Sino-India ties, Swarup said the dialogue will strive for a holistic view of the relations between the two countries and see how much they can accommodate each other's concerns and interests.

"India and China share a close development partnership and there are a number of issues also between the two countries. While there are collaborative activities, there are also some friction points,” said Swarup.

"The idea is that through the mechanism of this strategic dialogue, the foreign secretary from our side and his Chinese counterpart can take a holistic view of India-China relations and see to what extent the two sides can accommodate each other's concerns and interests," he said.

Maintaining that the upcoming Strategic Dialogue, which was set up in August last year during the visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, was a new mechanism, Swarup said it is a more "comprehensive" forum.

India-China ties have witnessed strain following Beijing's rigid stand on issues crucial to India such as membership to the Nuclear Suppliers Group and designation of JeM chief and Pathankot attack mastermind Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN.

Not only China blocked India's membership bid at the meeting of NSG last year, it also opposed banning of Azhar by the UN, apparently at the behest of its "all-weather" friend Pakistan.

On Wednesday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry also said it has lodged a protest with India for hosting a Taiwanese parliamentary delegation and asked it to deal "prudently" with

Taiwan-related matters. New Delhi dismissed the protest saying no "political meanings" should be read into such trips.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://zeenews.india.com/india/ahea...e-to-back-masood-azhar-ban-at-un_1978288.html

Beijing: Ahead of its strategic dialogue with India, China On Friday said "solid evidence" was needed for it to back efforts to get JeM chief Masood Azhar banned by the UN.

Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar and China's Executive Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui will hold a new round of strategic dialogue in Beijing on February 22, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang told a media briefing here.

The two sides will have an in-depth exchange of views on the international situation and other regional and global issues of mutual interest in the strategic dialogue which is an important communication mechanism between India and China, he said.

Commenting on reports of "friction points" in the bilateral relationship, including the Masood Azhar issue and India's admission into the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), Geng said "differences are only natural".

"Through all kinds of conversation and exchanges, including (the) upcoming Strategic Dialogue, (the) two sides can step up communication to narrow differences and reach new consensus on achieving cooperation," he said.

On the Azhar issue, over which China has put a technical hold on the recent US move to list the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief as a terrorist in the 1267 committee of the UN Security Council, Geng said China will support the move if there is solid evidence.

"China upholds principles of objectivity, impartiality and professionalism and takes part in relevant discussions. Whether last year's application by India or this year's by (the) relevant country, our position is consistent," Geng said.

http://zeenews.india.com/india/ahea...e-to-back-masood-azhar-ban-at-un_1978288.html

Beijing: Ahead of its strategic dialogue with India, China On Friday said "solid evidence" was needed for it to back efforts to get JeM chief Masood Azhar banned by the UN.

Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar and China's Executive Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui will hold a new round of strategic dialogue in Beijing on February 22, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang told a media briefing here.

The two sides will have an in-depth exchange of views on the international situation and other regional and global issues of mutual interest in the strategic dialogue which is an important communication mechanism between India and China, he said.

Commenting on reports of "friction points" in the bilateral relationship, including the Masood Azhar issue and India's admission into the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), Geng said "differences are only natural".

"Through all kinds of conversation and exchanges, including (the) upcoming Strategic Dialogue, (the) two sides can step up communication to narrow differences and reach new consensus on achieving cooperation," he said.

On the Azhar issue, over which China has put a technical hold on the recent US move to list the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief as a terrorist in the 1267 committee of the UN Security Council, Geng said China will support the move if there is solid evidence.

"China upholds principles of objectivity, impartiality and professionalism and takes part in relevant discussions. Whether last year's application by India or this year's by (the) relevant country, our position is consistent," Geng said.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://zeenews.india.com/india/hafi...an-act-of-hypocrisy-ujjwal-nikam_1979759.html

Shirdi: Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam on Tuesday dubbed the detention of 2008 Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed by Pakistan as an act of "hypocrisy".

Saeed was placed under house arrest on January 30 in Lahore.

"I am doubtful of the action because in his statement before a court in Mumbai, David Headley had said that no action was likely to be taken against Saeed and Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi in Pakistan," Nikam told reporters here.

"Headley had even submitted e-mails which he had received from Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), which indicated that the action against Lakhvi was an act of hypocrisy," he added.

Nikam said Pakistan was not willing to accept that Saeed was a terrorist and the country was being supported by China which had "vested interests" in the region.

Saeed was earlier put under house arrest after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, but was freed by a court in Pakistan in 2009.

He carries a reward of USD 10 million on his head, announced by the authorities in the US for his role in terror activities.


First Published: Tuesday, February 21, 2017 - 21:19

http://zeenews.india.com/india/govt...-declare-pakistan-a-terror-state_1979760.html

New Delhi: A Private Member's Bill, which seeks to declare Pakistan a country sponsoring terrorism, will be opposed by the government in Parliament.

'The Declaration of Countries as Sponsor of Terrorism Bill, 2016', moved by Independent member Rajeev Chandrasekhar in Rajya Sabha, "seeks to call out states like Pakistan that continue to associate, promote, patronise and sponsor terrorism against our nation" and provides for snapping all economic and trade relations with that country.

"India can't declare any country a 'Terror State' as it has to maintain diplomatic relations with all countries. Besides, in principle it is very rare that government supports any Private Member's Bill," a Home Ministry official said.

The Home Ministry has conveyed to the Rajya Sabha Secretariat about its opposition to the Bill, saying such a move may "jeopardise" international relations.

While moving the Bill on February 3, Chandrasekhar had stated that for decades, India and other countries in the region have been victims of terror attacks from organisations and individuals based in and with the support of elements in Pakistan.

"Yet for decades we have remained engaged with Pakistan in an attempt to draw it into the mainstream. This Bill is to finally put into motion the process of calling terror sponsors to account," Chandrasekhar said.

He also quoted data to say that from 1998 to 29, January 2017 14,741 civilians have been killed in terror attacks in this country, 6,274 security force personnel lost their lives and we have 23,146 terrorists.

He also referred to the terror attack on Parliament, the Indian 'temple of democracy', on December 13, 2001, to press his point.

Stating that "Pakistan's history and track record of fostering terrorism and terrorists is long and indeed distinguishable and incontrovertible," he added, "It is time that we stop running to other countries to declare Pakistan a terror state and stood up and did this job ourselves."

Asserting that the world is getting tired and has lost patience with "rogue nations", he said as the global opinion consolidates around the conduct of some countries like Pakistan, the focus will naturally come on what India and the Indian Parliament's approach to that threat is.

Chandrasekhar said the Bill can apply in the future also to other countries that directly or indirectly aid terror attacks against India.


First Published: Tuesday, February 21, 2017 - 21:21

 

[Hindustani78]

http://zeenews.india.com/india/maso...gn-secretary-jaishankar-to-china_1980079.html

Delhi: Reacting to China's "solid evidence" demand, Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar said on Wednesday that the extent of JeM chief Masood Azhar's actions were "well documented" and the "burden of proof" was not on India.

"On the issue of 1267 Committee's sanctions on Masood Azhar, we again explained the rationale for that application and pointed out that this was really pursued by other countries, not by India alone," Jaishankar said, referring to the US' application backed by the UK and France this year to designate Azhar as a global terrorist.

On the Chinese Foreign Ministry calling for "solid eveidence" to get Azhar banned, Jaishankar said, "in the case of Azhar, Jaish itself is proscribed under 1267. So the proof is in (the) 1267 Committee action. In this case what he has done, extent of his actions are well-documented."

"Also the proposal in question this time is not moved by us. It is not that the burden of proof is on India to convince. The sponsors seem to be very well convinced, otherwise they would not have taken the initiative to move the proposal," he said.

About China saying that there is no consensus on the issue, the Foreign Secretary said, "there is no consensus because China has not joined it", as per PTI.

Since the 1267 Committee proceedings are not public, he said, "Our understanding is that there is overwhelming support in the 1267 (Committee). This (is) what we are told".

"Other countries should be asked. The 1267 Committee is not for public. Our understanding (is that) there is overwhelming support in the 1267 (Committee). This (is) what we are told," Jaishankar said.

"I would say, overall, I felt my visit was certainly useful in conveying to the Chinese side our concerns and priorities and gaining from them an appreciation and their understanding of the world situation and in what manner we could work together," he said.

He also said, "Reviewed entirety of our relationship, both bilateral side and international, regional issues," he said post India-China strategic dialogue.

The FS added, "Held discussions on areas including Afghanistan, multilateral diplomacy including counter-terror and bilateral relations and nuclear issues."

"On NSG issue, Chinese side underlined that they were open to India’s application for membership but had their view of procedures and these were somewhat different from where we're at the moment and where we think most of the group is at the moment," Jaishankar further revealed.

Jaishankar also said, "Discussed concerns about trade deficit. It was agreed that joint economic group that's headed by CI will meet early to review this," as per ANI.

About Chinese investment for which India has been making a big pitch for in the past few years, Jaishankar said Chinese officials said the investments have gone up by seven times. Official media has been saying the Chinese investments amounted to USD 1.06 billion.

"In terms of forward progress, there was recognition that investment climate has improved and Chinese investments have gone up substantially and the fact that visas and exchanges were going much better," he said.

Jaishankar also said high-level visits of Chinese leaders to India are being discussed but they are still under finalisation.

Jaishankar met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi this morning before co-chairing the strategic dialogue with Executive Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui.

This is the first time China has fielded an executive Vice Minister who is also the head of the Foreign Ministry unit of the ruling Chinese Communist Party.

He had arrived in China yesterday from Sri Lanka.

Yesterday, Jaishankar had held talks with China's top diplomat Yang Jiechi during which they had expressed strong commitment to develop positive relations despite differences over Beijing's reluctance to support India's NSG bid as well as a UN ban on Azhar.

Yang is the state councillor and Beijing's special representative for border talks between India and China.

In Chinese official hierarchy, state councillor of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) is regarded as the top diplomat functioning directly under the country's leadership.

(With Agency inputs)


First Published: Wednesday, February 22, 2017 - 18:44

 

[Hindustani78]

United Nations, September 27, 2017 10:26 IST
Updated: September 27, 2017 10:33 IST
http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...clear-weapon-states-india/article19761212.ece

A file picture of Syed Akbaruddin, India’s Permanent Representative to the U.N. | Photo Credit: PTI


India considers the Conference on Disarmament as the appropriate forum for the commencement of negotiations on nuclear disarmament, Syed Akbaruddin says
India has called for a meaningful dialogue among all states possessing nuclear weapons to build trust and confidence and for reducing the salience of atomic weapons in international affairs.

“India remains committed to the goal of a nuclear weapons-free world and the complete elimination of nuclear weapons consistent with the highest priority accorded to nuclear disarmament,” India’s Permanent Representative to the U.N., Syed Akbaruddin, said in his remarks at the high-level plenary meeting to commemorate and promote the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons on September 26.

He said that this goal can be achieved through a step-by-step process underwritten by a universal commitment and an agreed global and non-discriminatory multilateral framework.

“There is need for a meaningful dialogue among all states possessing nuclear weapons to build trust and confidence and for reducing the salience of nuclear weapons in international affairs and security doctrines,” the Indian diplomat said.

India, he said, considers the Conference on Disarmament — the world’s single multilateral disarmament negotiating forum — as the appropriate forum for the commencement of negotiations on nuclear disarmament.

Mr. Akbaruddin regretted that the conference has been prevented from adopting a programme of work that reflects the international community’s desire for progress on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation in all its aspects.

“For its part, India stands ready to commence negotiations in the Conference on Disarmament on a comprehensive Nuclear Weapons Convention on the lines of the Chemical Weapons Convention, the only comprehensive and internationally verifiable treaty so far banning an entire category of weapons of mass destruction and providing for their elimination,” the top Indian diplomat said.

Further, India supports the commencement of negotiations in the Conference on Disarmament on a Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty, he said.

“We believe that increasing restraints on the use of nuclear weapons would reduce the probability of their use — whether deliberate, unintentional or accidental, and this process could contribute to the progressive de-legitimisation of nuclear weapons, an essential step for their eventual elimination, as has been the experience for chemical and biological weapons,” Mr. Akbaruddin said.

Earlier in his remarks, U.N. Secretary-General Ant Guterres said the only world that is safe from the use of nuclear weapons is a world that is completely free of the nuclear weapons themselves.

“The goal of such a world is universally held, but of late it has been subject to numerous challenges,” he said.

Condemning a series of nuclear and missile tests by North Korea, the U.N. chief said Pyongyang’s “provocative” actions have heightened tensions and highlighted the dangers of proliferation.

“I again condemn these acts unequivocally, and I welcome the Security Council’s firm action on the situation, as well as its desire for a peaceful, diplomatic and political solution,” the U.N. Secretary General said.

Speaking on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, Jorge Arreaza, Venezuela’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, urged countries to support the convening of an international conference on nuclear disarmament at the United Nations no later than 2018.

“As long as nuclear weapons exist, the risk of proliferation exists, emphasising the need for a new comprehensive and systematic approach to disarmament,” he said.

Reiterating his country’s commitment to a nuclear weapon-free world, Sun Lei of China pointed out the current uphill battle in the areas of disarmament and non-proliferation.

“Nuclear weapons are like the sword of Damocles hanging over the world and it is imperative to ban them,” he said and called on all sides to embrace a security vision that included cooperation and the promotion of the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

He said China’s nuclear strategy is based on the principle of self-defence while respecting a moratorium on testing and a no-first-use commitment.

Khalil Hashmi of Pakistan said global efforts to regulate, reduce and prevent the spread of nuclear weapons are facing serious challenges.

Lack of progress among nuclear weapon states has negatively impacted global disarmament efforts, eroding international consensus on related issues, as evidenced by the failure of negotiations in the Conference on Disarmament, he said.