New York:
A Pakistani diplomat getting a hug from his Indian counterpart - a rare sight given that the two South Asian nuclear rivals have been at war four times. But an uncharacteristic bonhomie was on display on Friday when Pakistan won a seat on the United Nations Security Council as a non-permanent member.
Pakistan was last on the Security Council in 2003. This is the fourth time that its term on the UNSC will overlap with India. The envoys of both countries insist that any regional rivalry will be put aside.
"It is a great day for the Indian subcontinent. I thank the Indian Ambassador and India. I have absolute confidence that India voted for us," Abdullah Hussain Haroon, Pakistan's ambassador to the United Nations, told NDTV. Allaying fears of any stand-off over the vexed Kashmir issue, Mr Haroon said, "Why are we worried about Kashmir? I don't think there is anything to worry about."
"There are many issues where we have common views," added India's envoy Hardeep Singh Puri.
With topics such as the Syria uprising and Iran's nuclear program again expected to stay near the top of the international agenda, Pakistan is likely to side with countries such as India opposing any sanctions, diplomats said.
Five of the non-permanent seats on the Security Council are rotated each year. Britain, China, France, Russia and United States are permanent members of the council.