ISLAMABAD, Nov 11: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said on Thursday that despite the US support India needed to cover a lot of ground before realising its ambition of becoming a permanent member of the UN Security Council.

Speaking at a joint press conference with his Italian counterpart Franco Frattini, Mr Qureshi used Persian phrase ‘Hanuz Dilli Door Ast’ (Delhi is still far away) in response to a question about the expansion of Security Council and the American support for the Indian bid.

The phrase attributed to Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya was about Ghiasuddin Tughlak’s arrogance who was trying to conquer Delhi, but died before fulfilling his ambition.

Mr Qureshi used the phrase to say that Islamabad was not really concerned about Delhi strengthening its credentials for permanent UNSC seat, even though past few days have seen strongly worded statements from the Foreign Office and federal cabinet denouncing the American statement of support.

Pakistan’s confidence about India’s membership not becoming a reality in immediate future is based on the fact that Security Council expansion is a long and complicated process.

The first step is to get a framework resolution through the General Assembly by a two-thirds vote, without specifying candidates. The second would be to name candidates for permanent seats. Finally, a ratification by national legislatures of member states will be needed to amend the UN Charter.

The foreign minister said Pakistan desired a “comprehensive, democratic and representative” expansion of the Security Council. He hinted that President Asif Ali Zardari, who left for China on Thursday to attend the inaugural ceremony of the Asian Games, would also discuss the matter with the Chinese leadership.

Pakistan has been opposing the Indian bid on the grounds that India’s elevation to the UNSC will affect regional peace and stability because Delhi is yet to address some of the disputes, central among which is the Kashmir issue. Italian Foreign Minister Frattini said his country believed that reform of the Security Council could not be achieved by having more permanent members.

Mr Frattini urged India to hold dialogue with Pakistan on the Kashmir dispute. He said he had during his stay in Pakistan raised the issue of alleged abuse of blasphemy law against religious minorities.

He said Italy was offering 81 million euros in aid, but for that Pakistan needed to identify priorities for utilisation.