ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is not worried about the close ties between the US and India but opposes India’s bid for a permanent UNSC membership, as it would have a negative impact on peace and stability and balance of power in South Asia, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said on Friday.
Qureshi told reporters Pakistan was not opposing India’s bid just for the sake of opposition but it had reasons for it. “The expansion and reform of the UN Security Council is a long-drawn and complicated process with groups comprising countries of different regions having divergent viewpoints on the issue,” he said.
“Close ties between the US and India is not an extraordinary thing, we are not worried about that. Both Pakistan and India have their own interests and Pakistan is fully aware to fulfill its interests in the Pak-US friendship,” he said. “Pakistan too has very good and cordial relations with US,” he said.
He said Pakistan’s opposition to India’s move was in line with its stance on the expansion and reforms in the UNSC. “Pakistan is of the view that any unilateral support, if it is not based on deep thinking, will affect peace and stability and balance of power in the region,” Qureshi said.
