Pakistan on Monday discussed the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) reform process in the backdrop of a recent announcement by President Barack Obama backing Indian ambitions for a permanent seat in the UNSC. President Obama had made the announcement during his address to Indian Parliament on the last day of his three-day visit to India.
After the announcement from the US President, Islamabad expressed its concerns and, on November 12, the Lower House of Parliament adopted a unanimous resolution expressing concerns regarding UNSC reforms, and the message was conveyed to the US Ambassador.
Pakistan-India relations and the situation in Afghanistan, especially in the context of promoting reconciliation and reintegration with the US, were also discussed in a meeting between Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Richard Holbrooke, US special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, who is visiting Pakistan to attend a meeting of the Pakistan Development Forum (PDF).
Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir and US Ambassador Cameron Muntar were also present in the meeting. It was agreed that a stable Afghanistan was necessary for regional peace and that both countries would continue working together to achieve the shared objectives.
The two sides reviewed the status of bilateral relations following the third round of Pakistan-US Strategic Dialogue held in Washington last month as well as issues relating to peace and security in South Asia. The Foreign Minister said that Pakistan-US partnership was evolving on the basis of mutual interests and mutual respect. President Asif Ali Zardari's visit to US and President Barack Obama's visit to Pakistan next year would significantly contribute towards not only further strengthening bilateral relations but also promoting peace and stability in the region. He underlined the importance of undertaking preparations for the two very important visits well in time to achieve good results.
The special representative reiterated US commitment to develop a strong partnership with Pakistan, encompassing all areas. He commended the government of Pakistan for convening the Pakistan Development Forum and for sharing Pakistan's vision and strategy for economic recovery. He assured Qureshi of full US support in realising Pakistan's economic potential.
Holbrooke said that President Obama and Secretary Hillary Clinton attached enormous importance to US ties with Pakistan, and wanted the bilateral relationship to continue strengthening to mutual benefit.
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