Pak, China have “unanimous stand” on India’s UNSC bid: Qureshi

LAHORE - Pakistan and China have a unanimous stance that India should not be given the permanent member status of the United Nations Security Council, as it would disturb balance of power in the region, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said on Friday.

“We have discussed the issue with China, and both countries have unanimous stand in this regard,” The Nation quoted Qureshi, as saying, in response to a question over China’s stance on India’s bid to get a permanent seat in the UNSC, during his media talk at Lahore Airport.

Pakistan was satisfied with China’s stance on Indian membership, he said, adding that China was a responsible state and always used decent diplomatic language while reacting to international issues.

Expressing Islamabad’s concern over India’s move for permanent membership of the UNSC, the foreign minister said that Pakistan was not opposing the Indian move just for the sake of opposition, “but we have reasons for it.” This would have a negative impact on balance of power in the region, he added.

Referring to the US support to New Delhi’s bid for UNSC’s permanent seat, Qureshi said, “We are of the view that any unilateral support, if not based on deep thinking, would affect the peace and stability of the region.”

The minister pointed out that India could not become the SC permanent member only through the support of US, as two-thirds majority in the UN was required for the purpose.

Pakistan believed that reform of the Security Council could not be achieved by having more permanent members, he asserted, and urged New Delhi to hold dialogue with Islamabad on the Kashmir dispute.(ANI)