Click to play videoNew York: India's decision to enter the race for the UN Secretary General's post by nominating UN Undersecretary General Shashi Tharoor has surprised many who believe the announcement has come too early.
Pakistan was quick to react to India's announcement and asserted that Tharoor would have to beat a crowded field.
Pakistan's ambassador to the United Nations, Munir Akram, said, Tharoor would face a number of contenders, possibly from Pakistan as well.
“We ourselves were examining whether a Pakistani candidate might be a feasible option. For us that process has been underway in Islamabad for some time. Of course now that India has announced its support for a candidate this may precipitate decision making on our side as well, and in several other capitals,” Akram said.
Akram also took a dig at India's decision to enter the race for the Secretary General's post while its bid for a permanent seat in the Security Council was still on the table.
“Perhaps the most significant message that we could read into it is that India has given up its bid for permanent membership of the Security Council,” Akram said.
Pakistan said it would not block India's candidate in the General Assembly if he was the choice of the Security Council.
India will face many challenges in the weeks ahead in its second high profile bid in the UN. However, it's still too early to know what is in store for India.
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