India to push for permanent UNSC seat during Obama visit

NEW DELHI - Ahead of US President Barack Obamas visit here next month, India, armed with a rotating seat in the Security Council, Tuesday said it will discuss UN reforms with the US and underlined that it was a step forward in its quest for a permanent seat in the council.

A number of bilateral issues will come up for discussion. They will discuss some of the issues related to reform of the UN, specially those related to the Security Council, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna told reporters here.

He was responding to a question on whether India expected an unambiguous declaration of support from Obama for New Delhis candidacy for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council.

The US has consistently backed a bigger role for India in global affairs, but has yet to explicitly declare support for New Delhis permanent seat aspiration.

There is expectation among some sections in India that Obama may pledge US support for Indias UN permanent seat bid when he visits India, likely Nov 5-8.

Its a step forward in that direction, Krishna replied when asked whether getting a non-permanent seat will strengthen Indias chances in getting a permanent seat in the reformed Security Council.

In the elections held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York Tuesday, India got 187 votes, the highest among the countries standing for election to the Security Council as non-permanent members.

This resounding endorsement of Indias candidature at the United Nations serves as a reaffirmation, if any were needed, of the overwhelming support that India enjoys in the international community, said Krishna.