TNN, Beijing :In a significant development, China and Russia on Monday decided to back India for moving a proposal at the United Nations that essentially goes against Pakistan on the issue of terrorism.In order to corner Pakistan for sheltering and facilitating terrorists involved the 26/11 carnage and other attacks in the country, India seeks to move a resolution in the UN to punish those who shelter and finance terrorism. And on Monday, it enlisted the support of China and Russia for the same. “I see this as a major achievement,” Exteral affairs minister Sushma Swaraj told newsmen after a summit of the foreign ministers of Russia, India and China (RIC).This is a rare occasion when China, a close ally of Pakistan, has taken a stand on an issue that is bound to rattle Islamabad. Beijing’s move not only reflects the importance it accords to New Delhi, but is also an acknowledgment of its own problem of terrorism in Xinjiang province. China has often said that ‘foreign forces’ are helping terrorists in Xinjiang.After the RIC summit – attended by Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi, his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov and Swaraj – a joint communique was issued which “underlined the need to bring to justice perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of terrorist acts”.The three foreign ministers called for early conclusion of negotiations on the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism. India had moved this resolution 19 years back that has since remained inconclusive, Swaraj explained.”The ministers reiterated that there can be no ideological, religious, political, racial, ethnic, or any other justification for acts of terrorism,” the resolution said.Foreign minister Sushma Swaraj and Chinese President Xi Jinping greet each other before their meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, on February 2, 2015.Russia and China also agreed to support a larger role for India in the United Nations, Asia Pacific Economic Coperation (APEC) and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).There are clear signs that China and Russia are making an extra effort to sway India towards them after the new-found bonhomie between New Delhi and Washington in the wake of US president Barack Obama’s recent visit to India. Among other things, Obama had agreed to back India’s membership in the APEC and the Nuclear Suppliers Group.Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Chinese President Xi Jinping at Ahmedabad during the latter’s visit to India in September 2014.”China and Russia welcomed India’s application for full membership of SCO and supported India to join the SCO after completing all necessary negotiations and legal processes,” the joint communique said. Incidentally, Pakistan is also seeking a membership of SCO but it was not mentioned.The joint statement also said, “China and Russia would welcome India’s participation in APEC.” But it did not specify if India would be considered for full membership. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier refused to attend the APEC summit in Beijing after Chinese president Xi Jinping invited him as an observer.However, China and Russia did not specifically commit themselves on India’s demand for a seat in the UN Security Council. “RIC has reaffirmed the need for a comprehensive reform of the United Nations, including its Security Council, with a view to making it more representative and efficient, so that it could better respond to global challenges,” the communique said, and further added: “Foreign Ministers of China and Russia reiterated the importance they attached to the status of India in international affairs and supported its aspiration to play a greater role in the United Nations.”
