The April 22 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives has reignited a complex geopolitical question: Is China deliberately shielding Pakistan-based terrorist groups and their offshoots from global sanctions?
According to official sources and media reports, India’s persistent efforts to designate The Resistance Front (TRF) — an offshoot of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) — as a global terrorist entity have been consistently blocked at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), particularly by China.
*Pahalgam Attack & India’s Global Push*
The deadly assault in Pahalgam was reportedly carried out by TRF, which has emerged as a proxy for LeT to evade international scrutiny. Following the attack, India intensified its diplomatic campaign, highlighting Pakistan’s continued support for terrorist outfits operating against India.
An all-party delegation led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor recently visited the United States to present the case, also drawing attention to Operation Sindoor and Pakistan’s hand in cross-border terrorism. Indian officials met with the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism, the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED), and the 1267 Sanctions Committee’s Monitoring Team to submit intelligence dossiers on TRF’s linkages to both ISIL and Al-Qaeda.
*China’s Role in Blocking TRF Designation*
Despite India submitting proposals in December 2023, May 2024, and December 2024 to designate TRF as a terror entity, China — through its diplomat Chungjie Li, who heads the South and Central Asia group in the UN Monitoring Team — has reportedly blocked the proposal each time.
The TRF was not even mentioned in the Monitoring Team’s latest six-monthly report to the 1267 Committee. Yet, terror groups like the Baloch Liberation Army and the Majeed Brigade, both flagged by Pakistan, were included. This inclusion, again, was reportedly ensured by China, at Pakistan’s behest.
India had provided sufficient evidence about TRF’s operations, funding, and coordination with LeT and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). However, the Chinese block continues, raising troubling questions about China’s commitment to counter-terrorism when its strategic ally Pakistan is involved.
*Beijing’s Track Record of Protecting Terrorists*
China’s obstructionist approach is not new. It has previously blocked sanctions against at least five known terrorists affiliated with LeT and JeM, despite joint proposals from India and the US:
Abdul Rauf Asghar – Mastermind of the 2001 Parliament attack, Pathankot airbase strike, and the 1999 IC-814 hijacking.
Sajid Mir – A key figure in the 2008 Mumbai attacks; China blocked his listing in 2022 and 2023.
Abdul Rehman Makki – Hafiz Saeed’s brother-in-law and a senior LeT leader; his designation was delayed by China’s technical hold.
Talha Saeed – Son of LeT chief Hafiz Saeed, involved in operations targeting India and Afghanistan.
Shahid Mehmood Rehmatullah – Deputy of LeT’s front group FIF, accused of terror funding under the guise of charity work.
China’s actions, using its UNSC veto power, are increasingly seen as part of a larger pattern of shielding Pakistan from global censure while undermining international efforts to counter terrorism in South Asia.
*India’s Diplomatic Tightrope*
India’s Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had earlier expressed hope that the UN body would take “due action” after reviewing fresh evidence against TRF. However, with repeated blockades and no breakthrough in sight, questions loom over whether India’s push for accountability will gain traction — or be stymied by China’s geopolitical calculations.
