Pak’s ire at US backing shows trust deficit: Rao
Reacting sharply to Pakistan’s critical remarks over New Delhi’s endorsement by the US for UN Security Council, India has expressed its “disappointment” and said they reflected “trust deficit” between the two countries.
“Yes, I would say I am disappointed. And I think it is a reflection of the trust deficit between our two countries,” foreign secretary Nirupama Rao said. She was asked if she was disappointed by Islamabad’s outspoken criticism on US President Barack Obama’s endorsement of India for a permanent seat in the UNSC.
Criticising the US move, the Pakistan foreign office had said “endorsement of India’s bid” would add to the complexity of the Council’s reforms process and hoped that America would take a “moral view and not base itself on any temporary expediencies or exigencies of power politics.”
“I think where India and Pakistan are concerned — and I believe Pakistan should understand our approach very well — we have reached out to Pakistan on a number of occasions in the recent past. We have offered dialogue. We have expressed our readiness to discuss all outstanding issues...And I do not think we should be receiving lessons from Pakistan on morality,” Ms Rao said.
Terming Mr Obama’s support for India’s bid for UNSC as a political statement, the foreign secretary in an interview said it was a statement with symbolism and substance. Describing the presidential visit as a “great success”, she welcomed the US decision to lift the ban on export controls relating to dual-use items, saying removal of Indian entities like Isro, DRDO and BDL from the list was “very important and substantive step”.
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