Nikki Haley, UN envoy to the United States, has said that India could aid the country in its war on terror by “keeping an eye on Pakistan to ensure they’re held accountable” for providing safe haven to terrorists.
Pakistan has been a partner to the US at times. We value and respect that. But we cannot tolerate this government or any other government giving safe haven to terrorists who target Americans.Nikki Haley
Haley added that the US could also use India’s help to rebuild Afghanistan’s infrastructure and economy. However, even as the UN envoy has said that India’s support is essential for this, India’s request for permanent membership in the UN Security Council has taken a hit.
Haley has said that the key to India becoming a permanent member of the UN Security Council rests on making no changes to the council's veto powers.
The five members of the UN Security Council – Russia, China, the US, the UK, and France – have the power to cast a negative vote, and effectively halt the passing of any resolution by the council.
Haley added that while the US is open to reforms in the UN Security Council, there is a need to focus “on Russia and China”, the two permanent members of the Security Council who "do not want to see any" changes in the council.
It’s a UN issue... it’s going to require UN reform and I think India has to go and bring together as many supporters as it can in order to really get that change in the Security Council.Nikki Haley
India, backed by a number of other countries, has sought reforms to the UN Security Council for many years, stating that the Security Council does not reflect the ground realities of the 21st century.
To this effect, the foreign ministers of India, Brazil, Germany, and Japan met in New York, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in September 2017, to push for early reform of the Security Council and additions to its permanent and non-permanent members.
India has received support from groups including the BRICS and IBSA, during the current General Assembly session, for this push.
(With inputs from PTI)
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