China Advocates for Regional Anti-Terror Cooperation Following U.S. Terror Designation of TRF
In response to the United States' designation of The Resistance Front (TRF) as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO), China on Friday urged countries in the region to enhance anti-terror cooperation to ensure the security and stability of South Asia.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian, during a press briefing in Beijing, asserted China's stance against terrorism, condemning the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians. The attack was initially claimed by TRF, a group linked to the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), but the claim was later retracted by the group amid escalating diplomatic tensions.
Addressing questions about the U.S. action, Lin stated, “China calls on regional countries to enhance counterterrorism cooperation and jointly maintain regional security and stability.” Beijing's stance indicates growing concerns over militant threats in the region, although it abstained from directly discussing TRF's connections to Pakistan.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, on Thursday, announced the State Department's designation of TRF as both an FTO and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT), citing its involvement in the April attack in Pahalgam. This move aligns with India’s assertion that TRF serves as a front for the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba, known for the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
India responded positively to the U.S. decision, describing it as a “timely and important step” in combating global terrorism. External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar commended the decision, highlighting it as a sign of strengthened India-U.S. counterterrorism collaboration.
The designation might also be discussed at the United Nations Security Council’s 1267 Sanctions Committee, which manages global counterterrorism efforts. The committee has previously blacklisted several groups and individuals based in Pakistan, including LeT, Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), and Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD), as well as terrorist leaders Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar.
China, a permanent member of the UN Security Council and an active participant in regional anti-terror discussions, has historically maintained a delicate diplomatic balance concerning counterterrorism designations involving Pakistan. However, its latest appeal for increased cooperation underscores its readiness to support broader regional initiatives against transnational terrorism.
As regional stakeholders consider the implications of the U.S. action, China's cautious comments indicate a move towards promoting multilateral counterterrorism dialogue, while continuing to navigate geopolitical complexities in its strategy.
