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Tuesday, Apr 12, 2005

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International - India & World

Pakistan concerned about China's commitment to India

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, APRIL 11. Pakistan has reasons to be concerned about the commitment made by China to support the Indian aspirations for an `active role' in the United Nations and international affairs.

In the aftermath of the U.N. Secretary General report on the reforms of the world body, including the expansion of the U.N. Security Council, Pakistan has engaged in lobbying in the world capital against the hasty expansion of the Security Council.

The stated position of Islamabad is that the U.N. reforms should be `comprehensive' and the expansion of the Secutrity Council should not lead to the creation of `additional centres of privilege.' Observers saw this position as one aimed at stalling India's possible entry into the Security Council.

The subject figured during the recent visit of the Chinese Premier, Wen Jiabao, to Pakistan. Though details of the discussions have not been made public, the subject figures vaguely in the `Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Good Neighbourly Relations' concluded on the occasion.

It said, "The Contracting Parties shall, on the basis of the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and other universally recognised norms of international law, enhance their cooperation in the United Nations and other international and regional organisations." The Joint Statement issued by India and Pakistan at the end of Mr. Wen's visit today suggests that the positions of Pakistan and China do not exactly match."Both India and China agree that the reform of the United Nations should be comprehensive and multi-faceted and should put emphasis on an increase in the representation of developing countries. The Indian side reiterated its aspirations for Permanent Membership of the U.N. Security Council. The Chinese side also reiterated that India is an important developing country and is having an increasingly important influence in the international arena. China attaches great importance to the status of India in international affairs. It understands and supports India's aspirations to play an active role in the U.N. and international affairs. The two sides reaffirmed their readiness to conduct close consultations and cooperation in the process of U.N. reforms," the Joint Statement said.

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Pakistan concerned about China's commitment to India