Jun 20, 2011

India’s Explanation of Vote after the adoption of the two resolutions succeeding 1267 Sanctions Regime

(The explanation on Vote below, was delivered by Ambassador Hardeep Singh Puri, Permanent Representative at UNSC in New York on 17 June 2011)

Terrorism is one of the most serious threats to international peace and security. International cooperation and concerted action against terrorists and their sponsors, including the complete dismantling of terrorist safe havens, sanctuaries, training grounds and financial and ideological support structures are the critical imperatives to defeat this scourge. India has confronted terrorism for over three decades and continues to face the challenge of the rising forces of extremism and radicalism in our immediate neighborhood and beyond. We have the strongest possible and unequivocal commitment to combating terrorism. We are fully supportive of all efforts – bilateral as well as multilateral, that strengthen the international community’s resolve in countering terrorism.

 The syndicate of terrorism, with intricate interconnections, comprising Al-Qaeda, elements of the Taliban, Lashkar-e-Taiba and other terrorist groups that operate from within and outside Afghan borders are among the biggest threats from terrorism world-wide. These bonds have strengthened over the years. We have joined the consensus in favour of the resolutions adopted today to convey an unequivocal and resolute message from this Council of its steadfast determination in countering terrorism. India fully supports an Afghan-led inclusive and transparent process of reconciliation, adhering to the redlines as enunciated by the Afghan Government in the London and Kabul communiqués. We respect the right of the Afghan people to decide their own destiny. The capacity of the Afghan Government and people to fight and overcome terrorism must be strengthened.

 We also support the views and decisions of the Government and people of Afghanistan as they seek to build a more secure, stable and prosperous future and a strong democracy in their country. We earnestly hope that the new sanctions regime on Afghanistan would contribute towards meeting these goals of political stability and economic reconstruction in a credible, inclusive and transparent manner. It is our expectation that this would enable the Afghan Government to have a greater say in confronting the challenges emanating from those constituting a threat to the peace, security and stability of Afghanistan. It is critical that all sanctions regimes established by the Security Council are fair and transparent in their functioning. They must ensure due process in their working procedures and decision-making.

The enhancement of the powers of the Ombudsperson and reforms in de-listing procedures are important steps in this direction. We must ensure that these function in a manner that strengthens our counter-terrorism capacities and do not have implications on the functioning of other sanctions regimes. We have repeatedly expressed our concern in this Council that the functioning of the 1267 Sanctions Committee has been subject to political pulls and pressure. This is a scenario that we can ill-afford in our fight against terrorism. Given the enormity and seriousness of the threat of terrorism, the international community should ensure that it does not in any way dilute or weaken the global legal regime to combat it. There is, in fact continuing urgency to strengthen and make it more comprehensive and effective.

The process of listings as well as de-listings needs to be guided by the same set of principles – fairness, credibility and transparency. Then only would it be ensured that the Sanctions Lists are really effective. We hope that as we move forward, we keep this critical requirement uppermost in our minds. The work of the Monitoring team has documented the fact that there are linkages between Al-Qaeda and the Taliban. This is a serious matter and needs to be handled with the utmost vigilance. Taliban groups connected with Al Qaeda pose a continuous threat to peace and security in our region. Before I conclude, I would like to point out a discrepancy in the text of Al Qaida Sanctions Resolution as agreed to in the negotiations and what has been circulated today. The language in paragraph just before the operative part should read as:

Noting that, in some instances, certain individuals, groups, undertakings, and entities that meet the criteria for listing set forth in paragraph 3 of resolution XXXX (2011) may also meet the criteria for listing set forth in paragraph 4 of this resolution, instead of Noting that, in some instances, certain individuals, groups, undertakings, and entities that meet the criteria for listing set forth in paragraph 4 of this resolution may also meet the criteria for listing set forth in paragraph 3 of resolution XXXX (2011), In conclusion, Mr. President, let me reiterate India’s steadfast commitment to international cooperation in the fight against terrorism. To this end, it will be our endeavour to work for the effective implementation of these two regimes and their enhanced efficacy. [MEA India press release].