Look forward to a UNSC that has India as permanent member: Obama
US President Barack Obama on Monday told Parliament he backed New Delhi's case for a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council, a copy of his prepared speech showed.
"I look forward to a reformed UN Security Council that includes India as a permanent member," Obama said his address to both houses of the Parliament on Monday evening.
He added: "The just and sustainable international order that America seeks includes a United Nations that is efficient, effective, credible and legitimate."
In another significant remark, Obama said "terrorist safe havens in Pakistan are not acceptable".
"Terror safe havens in Pakistan is unacceptable and we will continue to insist on Pak leadership to bring Mumbai attackers to justice," he said.
India had expected broad support in its bid for a permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council during the US President's maiden visit.
At Parliament, Obama increased power comes with increased responsibility. "Increased responsibility of nations especially those wanting to lead 21st century implies preserving peace and security globally, advancing human rights," he said.
Just days before his visit, the President had described India as a "cornerstone" of US engagement in Asia, but had held out no assurances on key issues, among which was the US' support for India's bid for permanent membership.
At Parliament, he said: "the last three days my wife Michelle and I have experienced the beauty and dynamism of the people of India", adding, "India and the US are bound by common interests and values."
He then paid rich tribute to Mahatma Gandhi by saying: "I not be standing in front of you as President of the US had it not been for Mahatma Gandhi and his message that inspired Americans."
He also said India did not resist global economy, but became one of its growth engines.
India and US can together create hi-tech and high-wage jobs, he said, adding, "Together India-US can resist protectionism that stifles growth."
President Obama also sought the extension of cooperation in agriculture, research, weather forecast, food processing and allied sectors for making green revolution sustainable.
Earlier in the day, Obama held a 75-minute meeting with Manmohan Singh. The two discussed the India-Pakistan ties and other range of issues covering bilateral and global matters and announced a number of new initiatives, including cooperation in homeland security, removal of Indian entities from the US sanctions list and setting up of a research centre in India in the civil nuclear field.
Though Obama had said - at an address to the media after the meeting - that he would be happy to play any role in reducing the Kashmir tension between the two neighbours, the Prime Minister made it very clear that India would not talk to Pakistan unless the country dismantles the twrror networks that operate out of its soil against India.
Singh had also welcomed the US move to end export control on dual-use technology to India and support for its membership of multilateral groupings in the nuclear field, like the Nuclear Suppliers Group.
Source: Indian Express
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