Pak not worried by India’s UNSC gains

Pakistan has nothing to worry about India getting a UN Security Council permanent membership, because just based on a statement of the US, India will not be made a member and there are still many phases to go, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said.

Pakistan has nothing to worry about India getting a UN Security Council permanent membership, because just based on a statement of the US, India will not be made a member and there are still many phases to go, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said.

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Speaking in Lahore on Friday, Qureshi said Pakistan had nothing against India, but such an “intricate and partial decision”, of such importance could have serious repercussions on peaceful co-existence and harmony in the region, the Online news agency reported.

Brushing aside any premature conclusions on the issue, which had “many more phases to complete before being approved”, the minister spoke of a meeting held recently in Rome, participated by 74 countries, during which Pakistan had clarified its stance over the matter.

Qureshi said the US should have at least taken the viewpoint of other countries of the sub-continent, as each has its own peculiar concerns and apprehensions. The minister said even China has not backed the US proposal, while Italy had backed Pakistan on the issue.

At home, both the Pakistan government and the opposition were unanimous in opposing India’s bid for permanent membership of the UNSC.

Qureshi said Pakistan and the US have a decades-long, strong and cordial relationship, and that US President Barrack Obama avoided any controversial statement about Pakistan during his recent India visit, even as he was under severe pressure from the Indian media to issue an anti-Pakistani statement.

He said Pakistan would also be vying for membership of the UNSC in 2012-2013, lobbying for which was under way.