Despite mounting evidence and persistent efforts from India, The Resistance Front (TRF), a known proxy for Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), remains absent from the UN Security Council's (UNSC) list of designated terrorist organizations. This stalemate persists even as China continues to block the blacklisting of five Pakistan-based terrorists involved in attacks against India. The reasons behind this ongoing blockage involve complex geopolitical dynamics, primarily China's unwavering support for Pakistan.
The situation underscores the challenges in achieving international consensus on counter-terrorism measures, especially when strategic alliances and national interests come into play. The UNSC's 1267 Committee, responsible for sanctioning terrorist entities, operates on the principle of consensus, giving each member the power to obstruct proposals. China's repeated use of this power to protect Pakistan-based individuals and groups has drawn sharp criticism from India and its allies, who see it as a double standard in the global fight against terrorism.
India has been actively pursuing the listing of TRF, particularly after the group claimed responsibility for the deadly Pahalgam attack on April 22, 2025, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians. Indian authorities have presented compelling evidence linking TRF to LeT, a UN-proscribed terrorist organization, and have highlighted its involvement in numerous terror-related activities, including targeted killings, grenade attacks, and recruitment of militants in Kashmir.
Despite these efforts, China has consistently shielded TRF from UN sanctions, raising concerns about its alignment with Pakistan's interests and its willingness to address India's counter-terrorism concerns. China's actions have also been interpreted as an attempt to deflect attention from its own human rights record and its policies in Xinjiang, where it has been accused of suppressing Uyghur Muslims under the guise of combating terrorism.
In parallel with the TRF issue, China has repeatedly blocked attempts to designate other Pakistan-based terrorists as global threats. These individuals, affiliated with groups like Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and LeT, have been implicated in major terrorist attacks in India, including the 2008 Mumbai attacks, the 2019 Pulwama attack, and the 2016 Pathankot attack. While Abdul Rehman Makki was eventually sanctioned after a prolonged process, Pakistan's claims of his death have fueled suspicions that terrorists continue to operate under different identities. Proposals to blacklist Talha Saeed and Shahid Mehmood, both linked to LeT, remain blocked by China, further illustrating the persistent obstacles in the UN's counter-terrorism efforts.
India has vocally condemned China's actions, accusing it of prioritizing "petty geopolitical interests" over the need for a unified global response to terrorism. Indian officials have emphasized that evidence-based listing proposals should not be obstructed without valid reasons and have questioned the logic of distinguishing between "good terrorists" and "bad terrorists." The lack of progress in designating TRF and other Pakistan-based terrorists has raised concerns about the credibility and effectiveness of the UN's sanctions regime.
Moving forward, India is expected to continue its diplomatic efforts to secure the listing of TRF and other terrorists at the UN. This includes presenting additional evidence of their involvement in terrorist activities and engaging with other UNSC members to build consensus. India is also likely to explore other avenues to counter the threat of terrorism emanating from Pakistan, including strengthening bilateral cooperation with like-minded countries and enhancing its own counter-terrorism capabilities. The situation remains a complex and challenging one, requiring sustained diplomatic engagement and a firm commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms.
