India in UNSC? No way, say Pakistan, China

Pakistan and China strongly feel that India should not become a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, as it would disturb the balance of power in the region, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said.

"We have discussed the issue with China, and both countries have a unanimous stand in this regard," The Nation quoted Qureshi as saying.

Pakistan was satisfied with China's stance on India's bid for a permanent UNSC seat, 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 India's move just for the sake of opposition. "We have reasons for it," he said.

This would have a negative impact on the 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 security council 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 a dialogue with Islamabad on the Kashmir dispute.