Pakistan has indicated that it is likely to challenge the Indian nominee -- Shashi Tharoor -- for the United Nations Secretary General post. It said it believes that his candidature indicated New Delhi giving up its bid for a permanent seat in the Security Council, a claim which has been rejected by India.

Pakistan's ambassador, Munir Akram, said Islamabad believes that New Delhi fielding a candidate for the post of UN Secretary General clearly indicates that it has given up its bid for a permanent seat in the Security Council for lack of support. He was speaking to the media after India announced Tharoor's nomination.

Akram said it is tradition that permanent members of the UNSC or countries aspiring to be its permanent members do not field candidates for the post of UN Secretary General. He added that he did not know India's plans but this was the view of the diplomatic community in New York.

If those aspiring to become permanent members field a candidate, it is clear that they have come to the conclusion that they are unlikely to achieve their objective in the near future, he said.

Indian Ambassador to the UN, Nirupam Sen rejected Akram's contention, stressing that the two issues are 'unrelated' and that New Delhi would continue to vigorously pursue its ambition to join the exclusive club in the 15-member Council.

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Pakistan, Sen pointed out, is a member of the 'Coffee Club', which opposes expansion of permanent seats in the Council and hence tries to fit everything in that light.

"Pakistan would quite naturally read such a message even if there isn't one. Quite clearly there isn't such a message because I think the two are unrelated. We are not yet permanent members and therefore have every right to put forward a candidature. We are certainly going to pursue the permanent membership and, indeed, a comprehensive reform of the Security Council," he said.

Akram also indicated that Pakistan is likely to field a candidate but declined to cite any names. Islamabad, Akram said, has been considering the issue for quite some time but New Delhi's action would 'precipitate' the process not only in Pakistan but in other countries also.

But, he said, this should not been seen in terms of Indo-Pakistan rivalry as each nation considers it an honour if it could lead the world body.

Asked whether he expects to be selected by his country, he replied, "The announcement would be made in Islamabad."

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Akram and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz are being mentioned as possible Pakistani candidates. Akram said he expects a wide ranges of candidates for the Security Council to make a selection, a process he described as elimination rather than election.

As the Council starts considering the names, it would go on eliminating candidates through straw (informal) polls and discussions and it is hoped that it finally decides on a candidate who enjoys wide support among the member states.

Asked whether there is any chance of Pakistan supporting the Indian candidate at any stage, Akram said Tharoor has many qualities, which are known and recognised, but Pakistan might feel that its own candidate has better qualifications and deserves the post.

But in any case, he said, it is in the hands of the Council and if it settles on the Indian choice, Pakistan will not and cannot block him.

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Asked about the Indian initiated proposal that the Council should recommend three instead of one candidate to enable the Assembly to make a choice, he said it would show conflict of interest if New Delhi pursues it. But he suggested that for the Assembly to play a more proactive role, it could interview the candidate beforehand and let the Council know its views.

So far, the agreement is only on that the next Secretary-General should come from Asia and already there are four candidates, he said, adding that more are likely to throw their hat in the ring as the selection process gets underway. He replied in the negative, when asked if there is a possibility of South Asia fielding a single candidate after negotiations among themselves.

Currently, Sri Lanka [Images] and India have their own candidates and Pakistan is likely to name one shortly. However, he said if there is an offer of an dialogue, it could be considered.

To a question about Kashmir, he said India and Pakistan are holding dialogue to normalise ties and expressed the hope that all issues would be resolved.