Obama's support to India's UN Security Council bid not at Pakistan's expense: US

Written By DNA Web Team | Updated: Nov 13, 2010, 02:55 PM IST

'This is a reflection of the growing importance of the region to the rest of the world and Pakistan should not see this as something that comes at their expense. It does not,' state department spokesperson PJ Crowley said.

US President Barack Obama's endorsement of India for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council is not at Pakistan's expense, the state department has said.

"This (Obama's support to India) is a reflection of the growing importance of the region to the rest of the world and Pakistan should not see this as something that comes at their expense. It does not," state department spokesperson PJ Crowley said at his daily press briefing here last evening.

He said the US has briefed the government of Pakistan on President Obama's announcement in this regard.

"I'm not aware that there was any particular concern expressed," Crowley said, when asked about statements from the Pakistani leadership expressing concern about the US endorsement of India for the Security Council bid.

"I think they (Pakistan) understand what we told them, and beyond that, I'll leave it to the government of Pakistan to describe its own reaction," he said.

Obama, while addressing the joint session of Parliament on Monday during his India visit, said "I can say today, in the years ahead, I look forward to a reformed United Nations Security Council that includes India as a permanent member."

With this, the US became the fourth country after Britain, France and Russia to endorse India for a permanent seat in UNSC.

"No one should see this in zero-sum terms. And first of all, understand that there is a process. It involves the Security Council and many countries that will have a say in the possible reform of the UN Security Council," Crowley added.