Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's proposed visit to China next month, former External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh today said that it is Pakistan which would have the veto on a "final solution" to the Sino- Indian border issue.
"China-India relations are tied up with Sino-Pakistan relations. In a final decision on the Sino-Indian border resolution, Pakistan will have the veto. That is the reality," Singh said.
He was speaking at a discussion here at United Services Institute of India on the book, 'India-China Boundary Issues - Quest for Settlement', authored by former ambassador Ranjit Singh Kalha, who had led the Indian side for the India-China Boundary Sub-Group negotiations from 1985 to 1988.
Referring to a statement by present External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj after her China visit, Singh said, "She (Swaraj) innocently said the Chinese have agreed to let India become a permanent member of the UN Security Council. What the Chinese mean is that they would like India to play an active role in the UN."
The former diplomat pointed out that China, with the sole veto which today represents the interests of Asia, Latin America and South America in the Security Council, would never "allow India to come in and share what they are enjoying".
Besides, even if China agreed to back India's bid for a permanent seat, it is not going to be the only country, he said.
"There would be a package of one Muslim country, Brazil, Nigeria or South Africa, Indonesia," Singh said, adding that "the reform of UNSC depends very much on China".
