Describing India as a country that is not “emerging” but one that has already “emerged”, as well as a “rising global power”, US President Barack Obama on Monday gave his country’s endorsement to India’s bid for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council. This came in his much-awaited address to not only India’s MPs but to “the people of India” from the hallowed portals of Parliament House’s historic Central Hall here on Monday evening.
As expected, the US President also brought up the subject of Pakistan in the context of both regional security and terrorism in his speech. In remarks that will be widely welcomed in this country, Mr Obama said the US will continue to tell the Pakistani leadership that “terrorist safe heavens within their borders are unacceptable ... and that the terrorists behind the Mumbai attacks (must) be brought to justice”.
But in a speech otherwise replete with praise for India and emphasising the need for a growing “partnership” between the two nations, there was some criticism for this country as well. Referring to the suppression of democratic movements in Burma, India’s close neighbour, Mr Obama pointedly remarked that when such things happen, “the democracies of the world cannot remain silent”.
He said when faced with “such gross violations of human rights”, it was the responsibility of the international community — “especially leaders like the United States and India” — to condemn it. And then added: “If I can be frank, in international fora, India has often avoided these issues. But speaking up for those who cannot do so for themselves is not interfering in the affairs of other countries. It’s not violating the rights of sovereign nations. It’s staying true to our democratic principles.”
The US President’s remarks supporting India’s UNSC bid evoked loud and sustained applause from the MPs though this endorsement will certainly not go down well with Pakistan. In fact, in the run-up to Mr Obama’s India visit, Pakistan had expressed concern about any such endorsement on the excuse that it would be at odds with the spirit of the UN Charter.
In a speech lasting almost 45 minutes, the US President said of India’s long-standing bid for the UNSC: “I look forward to a reformed UN Security Council that includes India as a permanent member.” At the same time, Mr Obama, who appeared to be speaking extempore thanks to his use of a teleprompter, reminded India that “with increased power comes increased responsibility”.
The President added: “And so we look forward to working with India and other nations that aspire to Security Council membership to ensure that the Security Council is effective; that resolutions are implemented and sanctions are enforced....”
On Pakistan’s role in terror — India has for long been complaining about that country’s support for terrorism as well as the terror emanating from its soil targeting India — Mr Obama tried to sound reassuring while at the same time walking a fine balance between India and Pakistan. “We have worked with the Pakistani government to address the threat of terrorist networks in the border region. The Pakistani government increasingly recognises that these networks are not just a threat outside of Pakistan, they are a threat to the Pakistani people who have suffered at the hands of the violent extremists.”
Before bringing up Pakistan in his speech, Mr Obama told the packed Central Hall that the US and India can work together to deal with the issue of “shared security”, adding: “It’s why we are working together more closely than ever to prevent terrorist attacks and to deepen our cooperation even further.”
America’s “fight against Al Qaeda and its terrorist affiliates” were also mentioned by Mr Obama as he sought to justify his country’s presence in Afghanistan. “We’re making progress in our mission to break the Taliban’s movement and to train Afghan forces so they can take the lead in their security,” he said, and declared: “The US will not abandon the people of Afghanistan or the region to the violent extremists who threaten us all.”
On the civil nuclear deal between India and the US, Mr Obama said the two countries were now ready to implement it.