NEW DELHI – Deepening America’s stake in Asian power politics, President Barack Obama yesterday endorsed India’s bid to become a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, hoping to elevate the nation of a billion people to “its rightful place in the world” alongside an assertive China.
Obama’s declaration, delivered to the pounding applause of India’s parliament members, spoke to a mission broader than the make-up of one global institution.
By spending three packed days in India, announcing trade deals, dismissing job-outsourcing gripes and admonishing India’s rival Pakistan, Obama went all in for an ally whose support he hopes to bank on for years.
“I want every Indian citizen to know: The United States of America will not simply be cheering you on from the sidelines,” Obama said inside the soaring legislative chamber of the capital city.
“We will be right there with you, shoulder to shoulder, because we believe in the promise of India.”
To Obama, that promise entails shaking up the world order by giving more voice to developing countries that offer lucrative markets for United States products and potential help to counter terrorism and a warming planet.
India fits Obama’s agenda perfectly because it is the world’s largest democracy and sits in the heart of a pivotal, vexing region.
The diplomacy in India also gave Obama a chance to reassert himself on the global stage, far from Washington in the aftermath after humbling congressional elections.
His final day in India began with a lavish welcome ceremony at the majestic palace residence of India’s president and ended there as Obama and his wife Michelle were toasted to a state dinner.
International peace
The capstone of Obama’s outreach here came when he announced support for India’s long push to achieve a permanent place on the Security Council, the elite body responsible for maintaining international peace.
It underlined Obama’s contention that the partnership between the United States and India could have defining impact on both countries and the world.
“The just and sustainable international order that America seeks includes a United Nations that is efficient, effective, credible and legitimate,” Obama said as he called for India to be part of a reformed council.
Yet White House aides acknowledge any changes to the council could be messy and years in the making. Attempts to expand the council have long failed because of rivalries between countries.
India considered Obama’s move to be an enormous coup regardless.
