(MENAFN- NewsBytes)
#ModiinUS: US designates Hizbul chief Syed Salahuddin as a 'global-terrorist'
27 Jun 2017
Ahead of PM Modi's meeting with Trump, the US named Hizbul Mujahideen Chief, Syed Salahuddin as a 'Specially Designated Global Terrorist', tacitly justifying India's position that cross-border terrorism has been fuelling violence in Kashmir.
"It underlines strongly the fact that both India and the US face the threat of terrorism and are working together to counter this threat", stated MEA spokesperson Gopal Baglay.
US recognizes Salahuddin as a threat to their interests
Fact
Salahuddin has been named as a terrorist, "who has committed, or pose a significant risk of committing, acts of terrorism that threaten the security of US nationals or the national security, foreign policy, or economy of the United States."
Who is Syed Salahuddin?
About
Salahuddin has been arming and training youth since the early 80s fuelling anti-India militancy in Kashmir.
He also heads the United Jihadi Council, an umbrella body of terrorist groups in Kashmir set up in the 90s.
He has blatantly been against India-Pakistan dialogue on the peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue and claims responsibility for the 2014 explosion which claimed 17 lives in Kashmir.
What did the state department notification say?
Details
The State Department designation prohibits Americans from engaging in all transactions with Salahuddin and blocks all his property falling under US jurisdiction.
Echoing India's views, it recognized that Hizbul Mujahideen under Salahuddin has orchestrated several attacks including the 2014 Kashmir explosion.
He has further threatened to train several suicide bombers and has vowed to turn Kashmir into "a graveyard of Indian soldiers", it adds.
What does this signify?
Significance
The state department notification is significant for echoing India's views on terrorism.
President Trump had earlier demonstrated a tough stance against home-grown terror, he even named India as one of the countries victimized by terrorism during his Middle east visit.
Despite minor differences arising on the economic front including over H-1B visas, India-US co-operation on counter terrorism is likely to grow strong under Trump.
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