NEW DELHI: President Barack Obama on Tuesday said India should play a more effective and leading role in the region as well as on the world stage. He said the United States could be India’s “best partner” as he wrapped up a three-day visit to New Delhi by highlighting the shared values of the world’s biggest democracies.
Speaking to an audience of young people, the US president reiterated that the relationship between Washington and New Delhi “can be one of the defining partnerships of this century” but warned the battle against climate change would be doomed unless India was fully on board.
The speech was the finale of a packed visit which has seen a dramatic upturn in an often troubled relationship, including the signing of a new “friendship” declaration between Obama and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“India and the United States are not just natural partners — I believe that America can be India’s best partner,” said Obama after receiving a rapturous welcome from a group of around 1,500 people.
“Of course, only Indians can decide India’s role in the world. But I’m here because I am absolutely convinced that both our peoples will have more jobs and opportunity, our nations will be more secure, and the world will be a safer and more just place when our two democracies stand together.”
Obama´s speech was the final engagement on his visit, the centrepiece of which was his attendance as chief guest at Monday’s Republic Day parade — one of the biggest honours that India can bestow on a foreign leader.
“The United States welcomes a greater role for India in the Asia Pacific, where the freedomAsking the United States to play a constructive role for strategic stability and balance in South Asia, he said the operationalization of Indo-US nuclear deal for political and economic expediencies would have a detrimental impact on deterrence
stability in South Asia.
“Pakistan reserves the right to safeguard its national security interests”, he added.On US attempts to bring India into the Nuclear Suppliers Group, Pakistan says it opposes another country-specific exemption from NSG rules to grant membership to India.
“This would further compound the already fragile strategic stability environment in South Asia, would further undermine the credibility of NSG and weaken the nonproliferation regime”, said the advisor.
He said Pakistan remained opposed to the policies of selectivity and discrimination. Pakistan is not averse to civil nuclear cooperation and NSG membership for Non-NPT states provided it is based on the principles of nondiscrimination and objective nonproliferation criteria, he added.
“Pakistan would continue to maintain its constructive engagement with the NSG and other export control regimes to build its case for membership”, he clarified.Pakistan, along with a large majority of UN member states favours a comprehensive reform of the Security Council to make this principal organ of the United Nations more representative, democratic, effective, transparent and accountable.
“A country, in violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions on matters of international peace and security, such as the Jammu & Kashmir dispute, by no means qualifies for a special status in the Security Council”, was a reminder from Islamabad.
Proposals to add new centers of privilege in the Security Council run counter to these collective objectives of Security Council reform; and have no rationale in this age of democracy, inclusiveness and accountability. Pakistan supports a reformed Security Council that corresponds to the positions and collective interests of all member states, not just a few.