Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif received a phone call from US President Barack Obama on Thursday night, and the former unequivocally expressed his displeasure at the US backing India's bid for a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council.
Sharif also reportedly pushed for Pakistan's inclusion to the Nuclear Suppliers' Group during the call.
Obama, who had visited India last month as the chief guest for the nation's Republic Day program, had backed India's entry to both, the UNSC as a permanent member and to the NSG.
Sharif told Obama that India 'did not deserve' to be a permanent member of the UNSC as it had not complied with the UN resolution on Kashmir, a burning issue between the two neighbours.
"India does not deserve to be a permanent member of the UN. It has not fulfilled the commitment to give the right of self-determination to people of Kashmir," Sharif told Obama, according to the Press Trust of India.
The two leaders conversed for about 30 minutes, discussing regional issues and areas of mutual interest, as Obama kept his promise of calling the Pakistani PM after his India visit.
"The president discussed his recent visit to India, and noted the US supports all efforts by both nations to improve ties," according to a White House statement of Obama's call with Sharif.
Sharif's sharp reaction to India's aspiration for a UNSC seat came on the same day as its ally China backed a 'bigger role' for India at the UNSC.
China had, however, taken objection to Obama's push for India's inclusion in the NSG during his visit, and had said that it will "support India's inclusion into this group if it meets all the requirements", putting pressure on India to sign the Non-Proliferation Treaty.
China had also reportedly sought Pakistan's entry to the NSG to counter USA's India push.
Obama, during his second visit to India, had said that he "cannot visualize a world without India in the UNSC."
"I believe if we are going to be true global partners, our two nations must do more around the world together. So, to ensure national security and peace, multilateral institutions created in the 20th century have to updated for the 21st. That's why I support a reformed United Nation Security Council that includes India as a permanent member," Obama had during his Siri Fort address.
