World

Obama Backs Permanent UN Security Council Seat for India

NEW DELHI (AP) — President Barack Obama backed India for a permanent seat on the U.N. Security Council Monday, a dramatic diplomatic gesture to his hosts as he wrapped up his first visit to this burgeoning nation.

Obama made the announcement in a speech to India’s parliament on the third and final day of his visit. In doing so, he fulfilled what was perhaps India‘s dearest wish for Obama’s trip here. India has been pushing for permanent Security Council membership for years.

“The just and sustainable international order that America seeks includes a United Nations that is efficient, effective, credible and legitimate,” Obama said. “That is why I can say today — in the years ahead, I look forward to a reformed U.N. Security Council that includes India as a permanent member.”

The announcement brought the loudest applause of Obama’s speech. But it does not mean that India will join the five permanent Security Council members anytime soon. The U.S. is backing India’s membership only in the context of unspecified reforms to the council that could take years to bring about.

That makes Obama’s announcement more of a diplomatic gesture than a concrete step. Nonetheless, it underscores the importance the U.S. places on fostering ties with this nation of 1.2 billion people, something Obama has been seeking to accomplish throughout his time here.

Obama said repeatedly throughout his three days in India — first in the financial center of Mumbai and then in the capital of New Delhi — that he views the relationship between the two countries as one of the “defining partnerships” of the 21st century. He set out to prove it by making India the first stop on a four-country tour of Asia, and then through economic announcements, cultural outreach and finally the announcement about the U.N. Security Council.

India has sought permanent council membership as recognition of its surging economic clout and its increased stature in world affairs. The U.S. endorsement is certain to deepen the ties between them and could also send Obama’s popularity in India skyrocketing to a level comparable to that enjoyed by George W. Bush. The former president is seen as a hero here for helping end India’s nuclear isolation.

The five permanent members of the Security Council are the U.S., China, France, the United Kingdom and Russia.

Debate has raged for years over how to change a structure that is widely seen as outdated and it is unlikely to be resolved anytime soon. So it‘s unclear when India’s drive for permanent membership will ever be realized. But backing it at all is a critically important move from India’s perspective.

In another important gesture to India, Obama went farther than he had previously during his stay in addressing the terror threat inside Pakistan, India’s neighbor and archrival. Obama angered some here when he visited a memorial to victims of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks but didn’t mention Pakistan, which was home to the attackers.

“We will continue to insist to Pakistan’s leaders that terrorist safe-havens within their borders are unacceptable, and that the terrorists behind the Mumbai attacks be brought to justice,” the president said in the address, to loud applause. “We must also recognize that all of us have an interest in both an Afghanistan and a Pakistan that is stable, prosperous and democratic — and none more so than India.”

Muslim-dominated Pakistan and Hindu-majority India have gone to war and remain deeply suspicious of each other. Indian officials accuse Pakistan’s intelligence service of helping orchestrate the 2008 Mumbai attacks that killed 166 people and say the country has not done enough to crack down on the Pakistan-based extremists held responsible.

Pakistan views India’s ties with the U.S.-backed government in Afghanistan as an effort by its old rival to encircle it.

Throughout his time here, Obama has taken pains to cast his visit as a search for U.S. jobs and benefits to people back home, sensitive to the priorities of U.S. voters who punished the Democratic Party in last week’s midterm elections, in part over high unemployment. He touched on the theme again Monday.

“As global partners we can promote prosperity in both our countries,” Obama said. “Together, we can create the high-tech, high-wage jobs of the future.”

Obama departs early Tuesday for Indonesia, the country where he spent four years as a boy. From there, he heads to South Korea for a meeting of the Group of 20 developed and developing nations, and then to Japan for a gathering of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum. He returns to Washington on Nov. 14.

Comments (18)

  • wash1776
    Posted on November 11, 2010 at 10:28pm

    How about a permanent vacation for you Obama? Maybe you can move to India and give this country a break instead of breaking it.

    Report Post »  
  • Soquel by the Creek
    Posted on November 9, 2010 at 4:39pm

    Adding India to the U.N. Security Council is a good idea. India certainly makes much more sense than France. India and China share a long border and will be international rivals. It would be beneficial to have BOTH on the Security Council.

    Report Post » Soquel by the Creek  
  • eyestoseeearstohear
    Posted on November 9, 2010 at 2:14pm

    I‘m sure you all heard Rush Limbaugh say that India’s News Papers reportings of Obama‘s HAPPNIESS due to the US’s financial decline – basically crediting himself for causing it.

    OK…now it seems to me- if a US PRESIDENT – sworn to UPHOLD & DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION of the United States of America….in particular the part that says, “ that I will bear true faith and ALLEGIANCE to the same”

    Could it be ME, that what Obama IS DOING IS AGAINST THE CONSTITUTION?

    HOW CAN one man decide A DIRECTION FOR THIS COUNTRY THAT IS CONTRARY TO THE CONSTITUTION …and HOLD “THE PEOPLE” HOSTAGE TO GOING ALONG WITH IT…AND FOR IT NOT TO BE TREASON?

    While the HYPOCRITES and the REPUBLICANS are busy arguing and fighting over who’s going to be House Speaker, Leader, etc- THIS _ UCKER is running around in OTHER COUNTRIES TELLING EVERYONE THAT HE’S IMPLEMENTED THE “DECLINE” OF THE NATION HE’S SUPPOSED TO REPRESENT AND UPHOLD.

    SPLAIN THAT TA ME- WILL YA?

    Report Post »  
  • Randyrocker
    Posted on November 9, 2010 at 1:33pm

    Now he’s giving away seats at the United Nations to nations of his own choosing, the Devil must really believe he’s God.

    Report Post »  
  • RightPolitically
    Posted on November 9, 2010 at 11:38am

    Except for the fact that I believe the USA ought to get out of the UN entirely, India deserves permanent status!

    Report Post » RightPolitically  
  • temple62
    Posted on November 9, 2010 at 11:20am

    America Backs Permanent Dismantling of the U.N. – pay your past due rents and get off our soil and …..take Obama with you!

    Report Post » temple62  
    • OneRepublic4us
      Posted on November 9, 2010 at 12:04pm

      So…this is the typical Obama bs. He has no influence and it’s never going to happen, at least not while he’s in office so it was basically an empty campaign promise to India to make them like him. Chances are he’s already forgotten the words he spoke. I really think when he tried to answer the student’s question about why there are no sanctions against Pakistan carried much more significance and his inability to answer the question spoke volumes as to which side he is really on.

      Report Post » OneRepublic4us  
  • jillfarmer
    Posted on November 9, 2010 at 11:02am

    PresBO is campaigning for President of the United States of Soros.

    Report Post » jillfarmer  
  • MrButcher
    Posted on November 9, 2010 at 10:33am

    I‘m not surprised that so few who post here don’t understand the importance of close ties with India.

    I‘d explain it but I’ve got things to do….

    Report Post » MrButcher  
    • troyvar
      Posted on November 9, 2010 at 4:58pm

      As a butcher, you should know that we can’t export beef there.

      Report Post » troyvar  
  • HillBillySam1
    Posted on November 9, 2010 at 10:04am

    I wonder if we could trade Pres. Obammy and the UN to the rest of the world for some good, ol’ American peace and prosperity?? Any takers?? Nope?? Shucks……
    I guess the only value of those two entities is that they hate Americans as much as the rest of the world does…..

    Report Post »  
  • MidAmerican
    Posted on November 9, 2010 at 9:54am

    Heck, just give them our seat, then move the UN to the Middle East someplace. Make John Bolton our Ambassador and let someone else cough up money for all the corruption. The Bamster is
    a goober.

    Report Post »  
  • HouseNegro
    Posted on November 9, 2010 at 9:44am

    This reminds me of giving everybody a trophy…………..

    Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
  • joseph Fawcett
    Posted on November 9, 2010 at 9:41am

    Hummm, not sure how that would change the dynamitcs of the Security Council but I know that it would. I know they want to change the ability of a member to veto any action. Thus limit the US power to protect Israel. These thing are beyond my concern it is better left ebtween God and the kings of this world.

    http://www.josephfawcettart.com western artist

    Report Post » joseph Fawcett  
  • drbage
    Posted on November 9, 2010 at 9:40am

    If President Obama thinks all the problems in the world will be solved through the UN, he really must be ignoring all history. Successful results from UN intervention are very hard to find. Who does he think he is that he can tell the UN who should sit on the Security Council? Did he stop and think what the unintended consequence of his statement would be in India’s rival/arch enemy Pakistan? Wonder if the thinks North Korea and Iran should have seats, too?

    Report Post »  
  • MAULEMALL
    Posted on November 9, 2010 at 9:39am

    And the un becomes even more irrelevent…

    Report Post » MAULEMALL  
  • what4
    Posted on November 9, 2010 at 9:38am

    Barry is after all the default president of the UN, right? Dont we own them! Must do what the Odumbo says!

    Report Post »  
    • snowleopard3200 {mix art}
      Posted on November 9, 2010 at 9:48am

      He has declared America to be on the decline, economically and politically, and now he is seeking to have India on the UN board, so two possibilities come to mind at the same instant…

      As it would take years to happen, if ever, it is a moot point on the prospect. Most likely it is to Mr Obama just another sound bite to toss out on the world stage for the Self Anointed One who is still also Clueless Beyond Comprehension.

      Second is the possibility that as the USA becomes ‘irrelevant’ in his oppinion, he will withdraw us from the permanent five members, and reduce us to a secondary state, or even beg the UN to make us a protectorate under their laws.

      Either way, God help us now.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  

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