India's permanent UNSC seat unacceptable to Pak: Sharif tells Obama

Islamabad, Feb 13: India's permanent membership in the reformed UN Security Council is unacceptable to Pakistan as it has not complied with UN resolutions on Kashmir, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has told US President Barack Obama.

The US President called Sharif last night and both leaders discussed issues of mutual interest and those related to regional stability and peace for over half-an-hour, officials here said.

During their conversation, Sharif expressed reservations about US support for India's bid to secure a permanent UN Security Council seat. Sharif told Obama that India cannot become a UNSC permanent member due to its non-compliance of all the resolutions passed by the UN on Kashmir and has "not fulfilled the commitment to give the right of self-determination to people of Kashmir," officials said.

"India does not deserve to be a permanent member of the UN," Sharif was quoted as saying. During his unprecedented second India visit last month, President Obama had reaffirmed his support for a reformed UN Security Council with India as a permanent member.

In his telephonic conversation with Obama, Sharif also said that Pakistan wanted to become a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group.

Obama, during his India visit, had also reaffirmed the US' position that India is ready for NSG membership. Obama visited India last month and was the Chief Guest at the Republic Day Parade, the first US President to do so.

In his conversation with Sharif, Obama also discussed his India visit. Sharif asked Obama to impress upon India to resume peace dialogue with Pakistan to address all outstanding issues including Kashmir, The News reported.

The two leaders also exchanged views about bilateral issues including terrorism and Obama congratulated Sharif on the success of operation 'Zarb-i-Azb' to wipe out militants from the North Waziristan tribal region. The two also decided to meet at a convenient date.

The White House, in a statement on Obama's call to Sharif, said, "the President discussed his recent visit to India, and noted the United States supports all efforts by both nations to improve ties."

Obama had also telephoned Sharif before going to India and had promised to take him into confidence at the conclusion of the visit.

PTI