Bhushan
SENIOR MEMBER
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Pakistan concerns conveyed to US ambassador
ISLAMABAD, Nov 9: Shocked by the US support for Indias bid for a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), Pakistan has conveyed its disappointment to the American ambassador here and told him the move could have serious repercussions for the conflict-ridden region and reform of the world body.
Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir, diplomatic sources said, curtly told Ambassador Cameron Munter that while endorsing India as a permanent Security Council member the US appeared to have acted out of expediency of power politics, completely forgetful of Delhis conduct in relations with its neighbours, disputes that engulfed the region and its flagrant violations of UNSC resolutions on Kashmir and human rights in occupied Kashmir.
Pakistans military establishment, arguably the real force behind the countrys foreign policy, will also get an opportunity to convey its sentiments during meetings with US Commander in Afghanistan Gen David Petraeus, who is expected to arrive here on Friday.
With President Obama having supported the Indian candidature, eyes in Islamabad are now focussed on China, the only Security Council member which is yet to announce its support for New Delhis move for a bigger role in the world body.
The other three permanent members Russia, Britain and France have already declared their support for India.
But, soon after President Obamas announcement, China indicated its readiness to hold consultations with India on the issue, even though the offer was punctuated with a desire for a democratic and patient process.
Meanwhile, the Uniting for Consensus, a grouping of countries which are opposed to any expansion in the UN councils permanent membership, meanwhile, has expressed concern at the US support for Indias bid.
But despite the protestations, the prevailing sense in Islamabad is that the US announcement is merely symbolic, given the complexity of the issue.
Talks in New York over UNSC reform and expansion are stalled. Besides, the expansion process is protracted and complicated.
Senior Pakistani diplomats, however, emphasised that symbolism mattered a lot when it came to India and Pakistan.
The diplomats took heart from Mr Obamas phraseology, which they believe did not explicitly endorse Indias candidature. President Obama said: US welcomes India as it prepares to take its seat at the UN Security Council. I look forward to a reformed UN Security Council that includes India as a permanent member.
One diplomat said: The words have been carefully phrased and shouldnt be read as a statement of support. There isnt much effort in that direction.
An interesting explanation on offer at the Foreign Office was that the economic aspect of Mr Obamas visit was very clear, but it definitely lacked the big bang.
He probably wanted to create some highlight of his visit to India to overshadow President Bushs trip to New Delhi in 2005 in which the latter had announced a civilian nuclear deal. Supporting Indias desire for a permanent UNSC seat was something which could go very well with the people of India, but at the same time did not cost Washington anything. Hence the announcement.
Pakistan, diplomatic sources said, had been earlier assured by the White House that President Obama would not endorse the Indian candidacy.
In an interview before embarking on the visit, President Obama himself had termed the Indian membership issue difficult and complicated.
Masood Haider adds from New York: Diplomats at the UN observed that Indias quest for a seat was likely to face opposition from China, a permanent member of the council, and from nations and advocacy groups who say Indias conduct in the disputed Kashmir region and elsewhere consistently violates key UN resolutions.
The Uniting for Consensus involved in discussions on the expansion of the Security Council opposes new permanent members. It has expressed serious concern over the United States endorsement of the Indian bid for a permanent seat in the Security Council and says that it will complicate the reform process.
The UFC group, led by Italy and Pakistan, opposes induction of new permanent members and strongly advocates expansion in the non-permanent category.
Progress is stalled in the ongoing inter-governmental negotiations taking place in the General Assembly that are aimed at reforming and expanding the Security Council to make it more effective, accountable and representative.
The negotiations to reform the Security Council are focused on five key areas the categories of membership, the question of veto, regional representation, size of an enlarged Security Council, and working methods of the council and its relationship with the General Assembly.
Despite a general agreement on enlarging the council as part of the UN reform process, member states remain sharply divided over details.
ISLAMABAD, Nov 9: Shocked by the US support for Indias bid for a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), Pakistan has conveyed its disappointment to the American ambassador here and told him the move could have serious repercussions for the conflict-ridden region and reform of the world body.
Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir, diplomatic sources said, curtly told Ambassador Cameron Munter that while endorsing India as a permanent Security Council member the US appeared to have acted out of expediency of power politics, completely forgetful of Delhis conduct in relations with its neighbours, disputes that engulfed the region and its flagrant violations of UNSC resolutions on Kashmir and human rights in occupied Kashmir.
Pakistans military establishment, arguably the real force behind the countrys foreign policy, will also get an opportunity to convey its sentiments during meetings with US Commander in Afghanistan Gen David Petraeus, who is expected to arrive here on Friday.
With President Obama having supported the Indian candidature, eyes in Islamabad are now focussed on China, the only Security Council member which is yet to announce its support for New Delhis move for a bigger role in the world body.
The other three permanent members Russia, Britain and France have already declared their support for India.
But, soon after President Obamas announcement, China indicated its readiness to hold consultations with India on the issue, even though the offer was punctuated with a desire for a democratic and patient process.
Meanwhile, the Uniting for Consensus, a grouping of countries which are opposed to any expansion in the UN councils permanent membership, meanwhile, has expressed concern at the US support for Indias bid.
But despite the protestations, the prevailing sense in Islamabad is that the US announcement is merely symbolic, given the complexity of the issue.
Talks in New York over UNSC reform and expansion are stalled. Besides, the expansion process is protracted and complicated.
Senior Pakistani diplomats, however, emphasised that symbolism mattered a lot when it came to India and Pakistan.
The diplomats took heart from Mr Obamas phraseology, which they believe did not explicitly endorse Indias candidature. President Obama said: US welcomes India as it prepares to take its seat at the UN Security Council. I look forward to a reformed UN Security Council that includes India as a permanent member.
One diplomat said: The words have been carefully phrased and shouldnt be read as a statement of support. There isnt much effort in that direction.
An interesting explanation on offer at the Foreign Office was that the economic aspect of Mr Obamas visit was very clear, but it definitely lacked the big bang.
He probably wanted to create some highlight of his visit to India to overshadow President Bushs trip to New Delhi in 2005 in which the latter had announced a civilian nuclear deal. Supporting Indias desire for a permanent UNSC seat was something which could go very well with the people of India, but at the same time did not cost Washington anything. Hence the announcement.
Pakistan, diplomatic sources said, had been earlier assured by the White House that President Obama would not endorse the Indian candidacy.
In an interview before embarking on the visit, President Obama himself had termed the Indian membership issue difficult and complicated.
Masood Haider adds from New York: Diplomats at the UN observed that Indias quest for a seat was likely to face opposition from China, a permanent member of the council, and from nations and advocacy groups who say Indias conduct in the disputed Kashmir region and elsewhere consistently violates key UN resolutions.
The Uniting for Consensus involved in discussions on the expansion of the Security Council opposes new permanent members. It has expressed serious concern over the United States endorsement of the Indian bid for a permanent seat in the Security Council and says that it will complicate the reform process.
The UFC group, led by Italy and Pakistan, opposes induction of new permanent members and strongly advocates expansion in the non-permanent category.
Progress is stalled in the ongoing inter-governmental negotiations taking place in the General Assembly that are aimed at reforming and expanding the Security Council to make it more effective, accountable and representative.
The negotiations to reform the Security Council are focused on five key areas the categories of membership, the question of veto, regional representation, size of an enlarged Security Council, and working methods of the council and its relationship with the General Assembly.
Despite a general agreement on enlarging the council as part of the UN reform process, member states remain sharply divided over details.
