Qureshi on India`s UNSC quest: Dilli door ast

Rezaul H Laskar
Islamabad, Nov 11 (PTI) India might be upbeat about
US President Barack Obama's recent endorsement for a permanent
UNSC seat, but Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi
has only one message for the Indian government -- 'Hunooz
Dilli door ast'.
Qureshi invoked Delhi's most revered sufi saint
Nizamuddin Auliya while commenting on Obama's clear backing
for India's aspirations for a permanent Security Council seat.
"I have a message for the people in Delhi – Hunooz
Dilli door ast," Qureshi told a news conference at the Foreign
Office, using the quote attributed to Nizamuddin Auliya that
means 'its still a long way to Delhi'.
The Persian phrase is often used to describe a task
that cannot be easily accomplished.
Qureshi suggested that India's efforts to gain a
permanent membership could be a long-drawn and complicated
process despite Obama's backing for the move.
Qureshi was responding to questions about the proposed
expansion of the UN Security Council and Obama's recent
endorsement for India's efforts to join the world body's key
decision-making organ.
Qureshi, who addressed the news conference with his
visiting Italian counterpart Franco Frattini, said Pakistan
wants a "comprehensive, democratic and representative"
expansion of the Security Council.
He said he had spoken to his Chinese counterpart about
Pakistan's reservations on India's bid to gain permanent
membership of the body and President Asif Ali Zardari is also
expected to raise the issue during his ongoing visit to China.
Pakistan has already expressed its opposition to
Obama's backing for permanent membership of the Security
Council for India, saying the move has implications for peace
and security in South Asia.
Pakistan has listed India's strained relations with
its neighbours and alleged violation of UN resolutions on the
Kashmir issue as reasons why it shouldn't be granted
membership of the Security Council.
Qureshi also said Pakistan and Italy have unanimity of
views on the expansion of the Security Council on the basis of
regional representation.
He added that the two countries were working closely
on many international issues.
Frattini said the Security Council should not be
expanded only to increase the number of permanent members.
Italy is in favour of reforming the Security Council
and would not block the membership of any country but the
process should be based on "regional representation", he said.
Replying to a question about the Kashmir issue,
Italian Foreign Minister Frattini said, "Yes, it is a problem
for Pakistan and needs to be addressed".
He said it is in India's interest to have "excellent
relations" with Pakistan and that New Delhi should work for
"positive movements" to resolve the dispute. PTI