Obama's UNSC backing is 'explicit political' statement

NEW DELHI: India on Tuesday said President Barack Obama's endorsement of its quest for permanent seat in UN Security Council is an "explicit political" statement of "unequivocal" support, notwithstanding his advice on Iran and Myanmar.

Welcoming US decision to lift the ban on export controls relating to dual-use items, New Delhi said removal of Indian entities like ISRO, DRDO and BDL will pave the way for "unimpeded flow" of high-technology from that country.

Playing down Obama's remarks that increased power comes with increased responsibility and India should not shy away from taking hard position against issues like human rights violation in Myanmar, sources said India and the US are not in a bargaining game and there was no price to be paid for being on the high table.

India does not need to be so prickly as it is all about friendship and these are terms of engagement, sources said, adding in friendship one should be able to speak frankly one's mind. They also noted that in diplomacy, everything is not always black and white as there are shades of grey in between.

After US' endorsement, the sources said, the process of discussions on the UN reforms will gather momentum and will soon start. While admitting that Obama's statement was "symbolic", the sources said it was "substantive" also.

The sources disagreed with the view that countries like Germany, Japan and Brazil would react negatively to UNSC endorsement of India by US. They noted that Britain and France were open in their support, China has still not clearly supported India.