‘Crime syndicate responsible for 1993 Mumbai blasts enjoying five-star hospitality: Indian foreign min at UNSC

The foreign minister of India, S Jaishankar took an indirect jibe at the state of Pakistan while speaking at a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) open debate. Chaired by Tunisia, the topic of the debate was, “International cooperation in combating terrorism 20 years after the adoption of resolution 1373”.

Referring reports of don Dawood Ibrahim hiding in Pakistan, Mr Jaishankar said, “We have seen crime syndicate responsible for 1993 Mumbai blasts not just given state protection but enjoying five-star hospitality.”

He added, “Terrorists are terrorists; there are no good and bad ones. Those who propagate this distinction have an agenda and those who cover up for them are just as culpable. Enlisting and delisting individuals and entities under the UN sanctions regimes must be done objectively, not for political or religious considerations. Proposals in this regard merit due examination before circulation.”

“We must summon political will to combat terrorism. There must be no ifs and buts in the fight. Nor should we allow terrorism to be justified and terrorists glorified. All members must fulfill the obligations enshrined in international counter-terrorism instruments,” the minister said, in his first intervention since India became a UNSC member earlier this month.

Jaishankar also proposed an eight-point Action Plan for the UNSC to tackle terrorism :

1. Summon the political will: Don’t justify terrorism. Don’t glorify terrorists.

2. No double standards. Terrorists are terrorists. No good or bad distinction.

3. Don’t place blocks and holds on listing requests without reason.

4. Discourage exclusivist thinking.

5. Enlist and delist objectively, not on political or religious considerations.

6. Recognise the linkage to organised crime.

7. Support & strengthen FATF.

8. Provide greater funding to UN Counter Terrorism.