India does not qualify for permanent UNSC membership: FO

Foreign Office says new permanent member seat could make Security Council even more undemocratic


Web Desk January 29, 2015
PHOTO: AFP

Pakistan on Thursday said India does not qualify to become a full member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) given its record of violations of UN resolutions -- particularly pertaining to Jammu and Kashmir, Radio Pakistan reported.

Pakistan has always advocated effective and feasible reforms of the UNSC and its working methods on the basis of consensus among UN members, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tasnim Aslam said at weekly news briefing.

“UNSC reforms should make this vital organ for peace and security more democratic, effective and responsive to the aspirations of the member states. A reformed UNSC should reflect interests of wider membership of the UN,” she said.

She warned that the idea of new permanent member seats in the UNSC will only create new centers of power and privileges, and could make the Security Council even more undemocratic.

Responding to questions about the recent US-India defense pact, the spokesperson said the pact can only add to the conventional asymmetry and undermine the regional stability.

She voiced concerns over India's massive acquisition of conventional weapons.

“This will further complicate stability in the region,” she said.

“India has increased its defense spending by 12% in 2014-15. Its defense budget stands at 38.3 billion dollars, and for the last three years India has been a top buyer of conventional weapons,” the spokesperson said.

To a question, Tasnim Aslam said “China is a global power and is significantly contributing to regional stability,” Aslam said in response to a question.

She said the Chinese president’s visit will take place, but the dates have not yet been finalised.

“Pakistan is determined to work with the US to expand bilateral relations on the basis of mutual respect and interests,” Aslam said in regard to relations with the United States

“Washington is our major trading partner and a big investor in Pakistan. A new round of strategic dialogue commenced this month. We have five working groups covering the wide spectrum of bilateral relations, and a sixth working group is being established on education,” the spokesperson added.

Regarding counter-terrorism operations, the spokesperson said Pakistan is pursuing a comprehensive strategy to deal with the menace.

The international community should also devise a strategy for elimination of terrorism, she said.

To a question, Tasnim Aslam said “China is a global power and is significantly contributing to regional stability,” Aslam said in response to a question.

She said the Chinese president’s visit will take place, but the dates have not yet been finalised.

“Pakistan is determined to work with the US to expand bilateral relations on the basis of mutual respect and interests,” Aslam said in regard to relations with the United States

“Washington is our major trading partner and a big investor in Pakistan. A new round of strategic dialogue commenced this month. We have five working groups covering the wide spectrum of bilateral relations, and a sixth working group is being established on education,” the spokesperson added.

Regarding counter-terrorism operations, the spokesperson said Pakistan is pursuing a comprehensive strategy to deal with the menace.

The international community should also devise a strategy for elimination of terrorism, she said.

COMMENTS (12)

woody | 9 years ago | Reply

It's not surprising that Pakistan would oppose India .. Kashmir issue or not. Past qualifications seem to be limited to being on the right side of WW2 outcome ... and most would argue that criteria doesn't make sense in today's World. . Perhaps the more relevant question is what kind of voice would India bring to the council. What position has India taken during some of the Worlds crisis? Did we here India's voice during the various genocides? Did we here India's voice when Russia invaded Crimea? Sometimes being mute is a sign of statesmanship .. sometimes it's a sign of lack of leadership.

Raj - USA | 9 years ago | Reply

Most of China's development and progress came after the late 90's. I have friends who have worked there in China for nearly 2 years and were involved in transfer of technologies and setting up industries there. They made rapid progress and we saw what they have achieved when they showcased their progress during the olympics. In the late 80's and early 90's many US companies transferred space technologies to China. China learnt is quickly and progressed. With US assistance, India can progress and reach the level China has reached today and India can do it in the next 5 years as in intellectual capabilities, India is far ahead of China. When India makes progress, leaps and bounds, it will bring lot of resentment in Pakistan. This resentment will lead to lots of problems for Pakistan. India should concentrate of progress in areas of infrastructure development and technologies. This will bring progress in its industries. Simultaneously, India should just ignore Pakistan on Kashmir. Pakistan cannot go to war with India and if Pakistan provokes India on Kashmir, India should respond adequately and, if necessary, more than proportionately. If Pakistan is not able to annex Indian Kashmir and is unable to progress, it will bring deep resentment and even revolt within Pakistan. India need not do anything other than to keep protecting itself and preventing infiltration of terrorists from Pakistan. Pakistan will do the damage to itself. Close relations with US will shift US manufacturing from China to India.

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