US backs China & Russia, blow to Indian UNSC dream

[Azizam]

WTF? Why should India get a UNSC permanent seat before even technologically advanced giants like Japan or Germany? Too much day dreaming is not good. First India should work on catching up then demand what it deserves. This is like one of the last people to finish the race demanding a gold medal.

 

[Hindustani78]

Did China and Russia secretly join hands to derail India's UNSC dream? | Zee News

Did China and Russia secretly join hands to derail India's UNSC dream?

New Delhi: Even as it was a big diplomatic victory for India when the UN General Assembly recently adopted a negotiating text by consensus for the long-pending Security Council reforms, a report appeared on Friday claiming that both China and Russia had tried to scuttle the process.

As per a report in 'The Times of India', a few days before the UNGA session, the Chinese and Russian diplomats tried to insert a couple of paragraphs into the text draft meant for pushing the UNSC reforms.

The report further said had the Chinese and Russian diplomats succeeded in their 'stealth operation', it would have diluted the entire negotiations on unnecessary technicalities which would have meant the UN would be negotiating UNSC reform for years and years without a decision in sight.

However, India, supported by a number of countries, got wind of the 'stealth operation' and vehemently opposed the move.

The group led by India even launched a protest at UNGA president, Sam Kutesa's residence over the weekend, forcing him to remove the offending paragraphs.

The Chinese, however, were not ready to give up without a bigger fight.

The Chinese diplomats approached a number of national capitals to get the text amended before it reached the floor on Monday – the day when it was finally adopted by the UNGA.

Some countries even agreed to support the Chinese, but Bejiing eventually failed to get the numbers that India had.

Interestingly, when all this was happening, the US strangely remained silent - either to see whether could win on its own, or because they are keeping their powder dry to kill the process later, or because they silently supported the Sino-Russian move.

Due to India's hard lobbying, it apparently became an India-China battle in those last frenzied moments in the UN.

However, seeing the Russians backing the Chinese, after supposedly supporting India's case for almost half a century, came as a big shocker for New Delhi.

This week, Russia sent its deputy foreign minister, Gennady Gatilov to meet Sujata Mehta in the MEA, after their performance in the UN.

A statement from the Russian embassy said, the two "exchanged opinions on the main aspects of intergovernmental negotiation process considering the current various options for the increase in the United Nations Security Council membership. The Russian Side reaffirmed the readiness to support the Indian candidature for the United Nations Security Council."

However, India this time has taken the Russian betrayal hard.

As per the report, China and Russia are now planing to take the battle forward and the two are now said to be working on the Jamaican government to remove Courtney Rattray - the main brain behind the UNSC reform text.

If they succeed, Rattray will not be able to head the negotiations on the text and it can be given to someone unfamiliar with the history of the text. If this happens, it would come as a big blow to India.

The UNGA decision to negotiate UNSC reform succeeded on two counts. First, after 23 years there is a text on which the UN can negotiate a reform agenda. Second, in a fair fight, the 13-country group led by China and including Pakistan and Italy called United for Consensus could not drum up enough support for stalling the process.

Need to send tough message against terrorism: Modi to UN | Zee News
Last Updated: Friday, September 18, 2015 - 14:40
United Nations: The historic 70th year of the UN must be used to send an "unambiguous message" of "zero tolerance against terrorism", Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said, citing the threats posed by "non-state military actors", in a letter to UN chief Ban Ki-moon.


"The United Nations must be made more effective for dealing with the new security challenges. The United Nations was born out of the ashes of the Second World War when conflict was an inter-state phenomenon.

"However, we are now living in an era when non-state military actors are a major factor," Modi said in a veiled reference to threats posed to India from Pakistan.

He also called for the adoption of a comprehensive convention against international terrorism this year.

The letter dated July 4 was made available by India's Permanent Mission to the UN during a press briefing here yesterday.

Modi arrives at the world body's headquarters in about a week to address the high-level?Sustainable Development Summit on September 25.

In the letter, Modi said terrorism and violent, intolerant extremism did not exist earlier as a primary threat to nations and societies at large.

"Indeed, with expanded geographical spread, vast resources and new instruments to spread its ideology and draw recruits, the menace of terrorism and extremism has acquired a new dimension that requires a comprehensive global strategy.

"We must use this historic year to jointly send an unambiguous message of zero tolerance against terrorism.

"An important step in this direction would be adopting the Comprehensive Convention against International Terrorism at the United Nations this year," the Indian leader writes in the letter.

Modi said for 70 years the world has remained a "better place" because of the UN but the world has changed dramatically since 1945.

"Threats to peace and security have become more complex, unpredictable and undefined. In many ways, our lives are becoming globalised, but fault-lines around our identities are growing," he said.

Modi underscores that his purpose in writing the letter to the UN Chief is to "remind ourselves that we need to seize this moment to rethink how the multilateral system can be made more inclusive, more effective and, ultimately, better fit for the purpose it was conceived."?

The 70th anniversary year of the world body is a landmark when member states should ask if the United Nations is adequately equipped to deal with the times they live in.

 

[Hindustani78]

UNSC reforms must be implemented within fixed timeframe: Modi - The Hindu

Updated: September 18, 2015 14:47 IST

Describing the Security Council as a product of “circumstances of a bygone era”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has told UN chief Ban Ki-moon that the Council must include India to make it more representative and the reforms must be implemented within a fixed timeframe.

“...whatever we seek to do as the United Nations, from dealing with the transformed security environment to ensuring the effective implementation of the post-2015 Development Agenda, our relevance and effectiveness will depend in large measure on the internal reform of the United Nations, especially its Security Council,” Mr. Modi said in a letter to the UN Secretary General.

“This is one of the most urgent and important, even if difficult tasks before us,” Mr. Modi said in the letter dated July 4.

The letter was made available by India’s Permanent Mission to the UN during a press briefing on Thursday.

Mr. Modi arrives at the world body’s headquarters in about a week to address the high-level Sustainable Development Summit on September 25.

The Indian leader said that the Security Council, as constituted currently, is the product of circumstances of a “bygone era.”

“It must now reflect the realities and needs of the 21st century. A Security Council that includes the world’s largest democracy, major locomotives of the global economy, and voices from all the major continents, will carry greater credibility and legitimacy and will be more representative and effective,” he wrote.

As the UN commemorates its 70th anniversary this year, Mr. Modi said that “we are at a moment when we must close the endless debates of the past two and a half decades, and agree in a democratic manner in the United Nations General Assembly to set into motion the long needed reforms in the United Nations Security Council to be implemented with the broadest possible support and within a fixed timeframe.”

 

[Hindustani78]

By Indrani Bagchi, TNN | 18 Sep, 2015, 11.11AM IST
UNSC reform: Ditched by US and betrayed by Russia, but India still tore down Chinese wall - The Economic Times

NEW DELHI: There was diplomatic blood on the floor in the tension-filled days before the UNGA decision on Monday to begin text-based negotiations to reform the UN Security Council. Once again, China and Russia led the move to sabotage the process.

A few days before the UNGA session, Chinese and Russian diplomats, in a stealth operation, attempted to insert a couple of paragraphs into the text. If they had succeeded, it would have diluted the entire negotiations on unnecessary technicalities which would have meant the UN would be negotiating UNSC reform for years and years without a decision in sight.

Led by India, a number of countries joined the battle against the Chinese move, even launching a protest at UNGA president, Sam Kutesa's residence over the weekend. Kutesa agreed to remove the offending paragraphs.


China wasn't giving up without a bigger fight. They reached out to a number of national capitals to get the text amended before it reached the floor on Monday. Some countries agreed, but ultimately China failed to get the numbers that India had. In all of this diplomatic warfare, the US stayed strangely silent - either to see whether India could win on its own, or because they are keeping their powder dry to kill the process later, or because they silently supported the Sino-Russian move.

India was not surprised by the Chinese action. And in those last frenzied moments in the UN, it became clear this would be an India-China battle.

But to see Russia on China's side, after supposedly supporting India's case for almost half a century, was a tough one. This week, Russia sent its deputy foreign minister, Gennady Gatilov to meet Sujata Mehta in the MEA, after their performance in the UN. A statement from the Russian embassy said, the two "exchanged opinions on the main aspects of intergovernmental negotiation process considering the current various options for the increase in the United Nations Security Council membership.The Russian Side reaffirmed the readiness to support the Indian candidature for the United Nations Security Council." But India has taken the Russian betrayal hard.


Bloodied but unbowed, China and Russia, say sources, now plan to take the battle one step further. They have been working on the Jamaican government to remove Courtney Rattray, the prime brain behind the UNSC reform text, so he cannot head the negotiations on the text and it can be given to someone unfamiliar with the history of the text. That would deal a blow to India.

The UNGA decision to negotiate UNSC reform succeeded on two counts. First, after 23 years there is a text on which the UN can negotiate a reform agenda. Second, in a fair fight, the 13-country group led by China and including Pakistan and Italy called United for Consensus could not drum up enough support for stalling the process.

 

[RisingShiningSuperpower]

A beggar will never be allowed to become a member of a fancy private club. Modi-ji must first transform India into a superpower. This will be done by 2020. Then, India's case for membership will be irresistible.

 

[Hindustani78]

A beggar will never be allowed to become a member of a fancy private club. Modi-ji must first transform India into a superpower. This will be done by 2020. Then, India's case for membership will be irresistible.

Its already time for India to get permanent UNSC seat.

As the UN commemorates its 70th anniversary this year, Mr. Modi said that “we are at a moment when we must close the endless debates of the past two and a half decades, and agree in a democratic manner in the United Nations General Assembly to set into motion the long needed reforms in the United Nations Security Council to be implemented with the broadest possible support and within a fixed timeframe.”

 

[Soulspeek]

If UN fails to recognize India's rold in UN why the hell do we remain in it? Is it too much of a task. In what ways India can be affected? Learned friends please elaborate.

 

[ahtan_china]

A beggar will never be allowed to become a member of a fancy private club. Modi-ji must first transform India into a superpower. This will be done by 2020. Then, India's case for membership will be irresistible.

Indian will get the permanent UNSC seat if they are able to beat one of P5 in military. It is a short cut. But actually I don't know why Indian is so interesting in the permanent UNSC seat?

 

[Hindustani78]

UNSC disagreement does not mean lack of support to India: US - The Economic Times
By PTI | 21 Sep, 2015, 02.40PM IST


WASHINGTON: The US has acknowledged that it has disagreement with India over the process of UN Security Council reforms, but said it is committed to India's inclusion as a permanent member of the powerful wing of the world body.

"The (US) President has made the statement (endorsing India as a permanent member of the UN Security Council), not once but on multiple occasions. And no one is walking away from the commitment made to support India's inclusion," Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Nisha Desai Biswal told PTI

Biswal was responding to questions that the recent statements coming out of the US diplomats at the UN is being considered by many in New Delhi that the Obama Administration is having second thoughts on its endorsement of India as a permanent member of an expanded UN Security Council.

"The nature of what a reformed Security Council looks like is a very complex undertaking. I am not going to comment on that. It is not an area where I am engaged," she said in response to the question.

"But I do know, that this is an area where there are very intense deliberations and discussions and they are extremely complex and nuanced. So the process by which, we get to this is going to be a complicated one," she said.

"There would be some aspects of that process where we and India agree on the approach and process and what the reforms process would look like. There would be many areas where we do not agree. And every disagreement on a process should not be taken as a lack of support for India's inclusion," she said.


Observing that the reform of UN Security Council is going to be "complicated to manage the overall" process, she said: "The outcome of the Indian inclusion in the Security Council is the one we have already at the highest level endorsed."

Biswal refrained from elaborating on the areas of disagreements between India and the US on the reforms process.

"I do not even know, if its appropriate to talk about these issues. Because these are deliberative process that need to be worked through on how different proposals on reforms are reconciled," she said.

"I don't think those are going to deliberated in the public domain. Those are conversations that are best left to the folks to be able to worked through," she said, reiterating there is no change in the US position on support to India.

American Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power had earlier said the US is "open in principle" to a "modest" expansion of both permanent and non-permanent members but added the condition that "any consideration of an expansion of permanent members must take into account the ability and willingness of countries to contribute to the maintenance of international peace and security and to the other purposes of the United Nations."

Indian will get the permanent UNSC seat if they are able to beat one of P5 in military. It is a short cut. But actually I don't know why Indian is so interesting in the permanent UNSC seat?

When India will become Permanent member in UNSC , India can use the veto power to safeguard the interest of all the friendly countries in Asia, Africa, Middle East, Central Asia.

India do have the support of majority of countries because most of these countries are having friendly ties with India.

 

[Hindustani78]

US backs India's bid for permanent UNSC seat | Zee News

Last Updated: Wednesday, September 23, 2015 - 11:24

Washington: The US has said it is committed to India's inclusion as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, days after the General Assembly adopted a negotiating text for the long-pending reforms of the powerful wing of the world body.

The reaffirmation from the US comes in the backdrop of the maiden India-US Strategic and Commercial Dialogue which was held yesterday.

Notwithstanding, apprehensions appearing in certain quarters following recent developments at the UN headquarters in New York, the US said, it supports India as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.

"The US Side reaffirmed its support for a reformed UN Security Council with India as a permanent member," said the joint statement issued after the conclusion of the Strategic and Commercial Dialogue at the Foggy Bottom headquarters of the State Department.

Both sides committed to ensuring that the Security Council continues to play an effective role in maintaining international peace and security as envisioned in the UN Charter, it said.

According to the joint statement, both India and the US are committed to continued engagement on Security Council reform in the UN Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN) on Security Council Reform.

India-US partnership is a significant contributor to the peace, stability and prosperity in the Indian Ocean and Asia-Pacific regions and around the globe, the statement said.

Building on successful cooperation in Asia, the two countries welcomed continued cooperation under the Joint Strategic Vision for the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean Region agreed by US President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.


The US also commended India's leadership in evacuating foreign nationals including US citizens, from conflict in Yemen, as well as cooperation between the US and India on providing post-earthquake relief in Nepal.

India and the US resolved that they would work as partners in responding to the needs of civilians in global crises.

Both countries also welcomed Japan's participation in the MALABAR 2015 naval exercise later this year.

Pledging to continue high level consultations on Afghanistan, both the countries agreed that a sovereign, independent and prosperous Afghanistan is in the interest of peace and security in the region, and will contribute to the global efforts to combat terrorism and extremism.


The two countries also expressed satisfaction at the convening of the first meeting of an upgraded UN and Multilateral Dialogue in February 2015, the first meeting of the Space Security Dialogue in March 2015, and the first India-US consultations on Africa in April 2015.

PTI

 

[Hindustani78]

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Irealand and joint press conference with Ireland Prime Minister Enda Kenny - The Hindu

Updated: September 23, 2015 20:43 IST
The last Indian Prime Minister to visit Ireland was Jawaharlal Nehru in 1956.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday sought Ireland’s support for India’s membership of UN Security council and international export control regimes including NSG during wide ranging talks with his Irish counterpart which also covered global challenges like terror and radicalisation.

During his nearly five-hour stopover en-route to the U.S., Mr. Modi, who is the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Ireland in 59 years, held talks with his Irish counterpart Enda Kenny after which he hoped that Ireland’s visa policy will be sensitive to the requirements of India’s IT firms.

“I was pleased to exchange views on a broad range of international challenges, including terrorism, radicalisation and the situation in Europe and Asia,” Mr. Modi said at a joint media event with Mr. Kenny.

He also noted that their discussions underlined the importance of closer cooperation between the two countries which share democratic values and are consistent advocates of international peace and stability.

Thanking Ireland for its support which was crucial for India-specific exemption from Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) in 2008, Mr. Modi said, “I have now sought Ireland’s support for India’s membership of the NSG and other international export control regimes. India’s membership will deepen our bilateral cooperation and strengthen international non-proliferation efforts.”

In this context, he asserted that India has been a leading voice on universal nuclear disarmament since Independence and will remain strongly committed to that goal.

“Our credentials and record on non-proliferation are second to none,” he said.

The Prime Minister also sought Ireland’s support for the reforms of the UNSC within a fixed time frame — in particular, for successful conclusion of inter-governmental negotiations in the 70th year of the United Nations.

“I also sought his support for India’s permanent membership of the reformed Security Council,” Modi added.

On the trade front, he said the bilateral trade and investment ties were growing, despite global and regional uncertainties and the economic partnership can have a strong technology focus — information technology, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, agricultural and clean energy.

“I also hope that Ireland’s visa policy will be sensitive to the requirements of India’s Information Technology firms. I also conveyed our interest in concluding a social security agreement, which will be of great help to professionals from both countries,” Mr. Modi said.

“India and Ireland are ideally placed to form productive partnerships to take advantage of the opportunities in the digital age. I hope that our Joint Working Group on Information Technology will meet soon to chart out the roadmap for collaboration,” Mr. Modi said.

“I am glad that we will soon have direct air services by airlines of both countries. This will not only promote our business links, but also give a strong boost to our tourism ties that are already growing at 14 per cent per year.

The Prime Minister said science and technology and education are two other areas where India and Ireland have a good history of cooperation, and where the two countries can do much more.

Ireland’s Science Centre in Karnataka is one example of that cooperation, he said.

“I leave convinced that India and Ireland must invest more to realise the vast potential of this relationship. India was the first country with which you established diplomatic relations in Asia. We can now be your anchor in Asia.

Similarly, for India, I see Ireland as a vital gateway to Europe and a bridge across the Atlantic,” Mr. Modi said.

“India and Ireland share much in common. We can compare notes on our shared colonial history. Our Constitutions have something sacred in common. The Directive Principles of State Policy in the Indian Constitution are inspired by the Irish Constitution,” he said.

Mr. Modi said Irish experts gave India institutions like the Geological Survey of India and the first Linguistic Survey of India adding that even today, sports manufacturers in India keep Ireland’s passion for rugby going.

“From the friendship between Rabindranath Tagore and W.B. Yeats to the spiritual contribution of Sister Nivedita in India, the Irish and Indian people have formed strong bonds of affinity,” he said.

Today, 26,000 Indians constitute a vibrant part of the Irish community and the victims of the 1985 bombing of the Air India Kanishka aircraft find a resting place here, he said.

“In the 30th anniversary year of that tragedy, we thank you once again for the memorial that honours them,” Mr. Modi said.

“In the pain of their unfading memory, we are also reminded of all that binds us today — our values and our aspirations and the challenges that we all face today. India and Ireland must seek closer partnership and cooperation.

India and Ireland are among the fastest growing economies of Asia and Europe.

“Greater sensitivity of the European Union to India’s commercial interests and challenges will help us resume discussions on India-EU Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement,” Mr. Modi said.

The last Indian prime minister to visit Ireland was Jawaharlal Nehru in 1956.

From Dublin, Mr. Modi will leave for New York to address a UN Sustainable Development Summit and participate in a summit on peacekeeping being hosted by U.S. President Barack Obama.

He then travels on to the West Coast of the U.S., where he will address the Indian community in Silicon Valley and hold meetings with top tech CEOs as part of this two-nation, three-city tour which concludes on September 29.

 

[ahtan_china]

When India will become Permanent member in UNSC , India can use the veto power to safeguard the interest of all the friendly countries in Asia, Africa, Middle East, Central Asia.

India do have the support of majority of countries because most of these countries are having friendly ties with India.

The Indian affect south asia only.The P5 are global target. When will the Indian has this kind of ability?

 

[Azadkashmir]

The Indian affect south asia only.The P5 are global target. When will the Indian has this kind of ability?

when she goes from daal to meat diet.

 

[Hindustani78]

PM Modi pitches for UNSC reforms, says it's essential to make it relevant to world realities | Zee News

United Nations: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday pitched for reform of the UN Security Council, saying it was essential for the world body to inspire confidence and be relevant in the current world realities.

"70 years back, when the horrific second World War came to an end, this organisation came into being, raising hopes of people around the world. We have gathered here to decide a new direction," he said addressing the UN General Assembly session.

Talking about the global challenges and problems, Modi said, "We need UN reforms so that it inspires confidence and becomes relevant to the current world realities."
His pitch for UNSC reforms comes amidst India's strong bid for a permanent seat in the expanded powerful world body.

Modi asserted that the global challenges like climate change and sustainable development are the collective responsibility of all nations as no nation can be immune to any kind of threat.

Modi talked about the need for eradicating poverty and ensuring development as he highlighted that 1.3 billion people around the world are forced to live in poverty.

On the issue of climate change, he maintained that common but differentiated responsibility is the basis for dealing with this challenge.

In this context, he asked the developed nations to fulfill their responsibility of sharing technology, innovation and finances with the developing countries without having any "selfish interest".

The Prime Minister said while working for the Sustainable

Development Goals, there should be "climate justice" to ensure that poor are protected from natural tragedies.

"While addressing climate change, it is important to focus on solutions that help us reach our goals," he told the assembly of leaders from across the world.

Noting that India sees the world as one, Modi said the globe is connected and dependant on each other. "Our international partnerships need to be centred on progress of humanity," he said.

Referring to the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 adopted by the UNGA today, the Prime Minister said much of India's development agenda is mirrored in it.

"The principle of common but differentiated responsibilities is the bedrock of our enterprise for a sustainable world... We are here today at the UN, because we believe that international partnership must be at the centre of our efforts," he said.

He listed the programmes and schemes rolled out by his government for financial inclusion, poverty alleviation, healthcare, education and women empowerment and said "Our national plans to ensure sustainable development are purposeful and ambitious".

He said eradication of poverty must remain the biggest responsibility as without it the world peace, just systems and sustainable development cannot be possible.

 

[Hindustani78]

PM Modi pitches for India's permanent seat in UNSC, says world's largest democracies must be included | Zee News

New York: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday pressed for United Nations Security Council (UNSC) reform within a "fixed time frame" in the current session of the UNGA, saying the world body reflects the mindset of a century "we left behind" and is not in tune with new concerns like terrorism and climate change.

In his opening remarks at the G4 meeting, PM Modi thanked his Japan counterpart Shinzo Abe and said, "Thank you for meeting this early on a Saturday, want to specially thank PM Abe who just arrived in the US."

“I am delighted that we are meeting again as Heads of Government after ten years," PM Modi added.

Further stressing upon the much needed reforms to be introduced in the UNSC, PM Modi said, "We live in a fundamentally different world from the time the UN was born."

“Reform of security council within a fixed time frame has become an urgent and important task,” PM Modi added.

Hosting a Summit of leaders of Germany, Japan and Brazil under the G4 format here, PM Modi further said that the UNSC "must include the world's largest democracies, major locomotives of the global economy, and voices from all the major continents" to carry "greater credibility and legitimacy".

It will make it more representative and effective in addressing the challenges of the 21st century, he said at the Summit meeting with Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, the first since 2004.

Modi noted that "some movement" had been witnessed recently in the decades-old endeavour when the UNGA took the "significant step" to commence text-based negotiations on the reforms but said it has to be taken to its logical conclusion during the current 70th session of the global body.

"Our institutions, approaches, and often mindsets, reflect the wisdom of the century we have left behind, not the century we live in. This is especially true of the United Nations Security Council," the Prime Minister said.

"The reform of the Security Council within a fixed time frame has become an urgent and important task," he said, while talking about the modern age challenges like trends in demography, urbanization and migrations.

"Climate change and terrorism are new concerns. Cyber and Space are entirely new frontiers of opportunities and challenges, he said.

G4 is a grouping which has been jointly pushing for reform of the UN Security Council to make it broad-based by including them as permanent members.

After PM Narendra Modi, Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Japanese PM Shinzo Abe expressed their views on UNSC reforms.

Shortly after the G4 Summit between India, Brazil, Germany and Japan ended a joint statement was issued in which the G4 leaders stressed that "a more representative, legitimate and effective security council is needed more than ever to address the global conflicts and crises, which had spiraled in recent years."

"Strongly emphasized that process underway in UN to bring about the reform of the Security Council should be conducted given its urgency, in a fixed time frame," as per the Joint Press Statement being released.

While addressing the United Nations General Assembly yesterday, PM Modi had made a strong pitch for ushering in reforms in the Security Council “to maintain its credibility and legitimacy”.

"We must reform the United Nations including its Security Council so that it carries greater credibility and legitimacy and will be more representative and effective in achieving our goals," Modi had said.

India is making a strong bid for a permanent seat in an expanded Security Council, which currently has five permanent members -- China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Ten non-permanent members are elected for two-year terms by the UN General Assembly.

The UN General Assembly has already adopted a negotiating document for long-pending reforms of the powerful wing of the world body and the US, one of the council's permanent members, has said it is committed to India's inclusion as a permanent member.

Bhutan supports India in its bid to be permanent UNSC member | Zee News

Last Updated: Saturday, September 26, 2015 - 06:33
New York: Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay has assured his country`s wholehearted support to India in its bid to be a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

Briefing the media here about the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bhutanese counterpart, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official spokesperson Vikas Swarup said there was a discussion between both leaders on the UNSC reform.

"And Prime Minister of Bhutan said that it`s an anomaly that a country like India is still not a permanent member and basically Bhutan supports India wholeheartedly in this," he added.

Swarup said that the Bhutanese Prime Minister complimented Prime Minister Modi on what he called was a visionary speech at the UN outlining his vision for the sustainable development goals.

"There was also a discussion on bilateral issues. In particular, there was much appreciation of the fact that our hydroelectric projects in Bhutan are progressing very well," said Swarup.

"Reference was made to the Punatsangchhu I and II and Mangdechhu projects and the point came out that once all of them come on stream since 80 percent of this power would be exported to India we would be saving 11 million metric tonnes of carbon. So, this ties in very well with the central topic of the discussion today i.e. sustainable development goals and climate change," he added.

Swarup said that there was also discussion on other bilateral projects like e-library, getting students to read, progress in the small development projects that India is implementing in Bhutan, the tremendous tourism potential because Prime Minister Modi has been emphasising again and again that tourism can become another strong bridge between both nations.

Swarup further said that there was also a brief discussion on BBIN."The Prime Minister of Bhutan said that there must be an expansion of the BBIN beyond the motorways. He suggested that we could now perhaps look into other sectors as well," he added.

ANI


First Published: Saturday, September 26, 2015 - 06:33