Non-permanent UNSC seat a step forward: Krishna
By IANSTuesday, October 12, 2010
NEW DELHI - External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna Tuesday attributed the country’s winning a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council to the “overwhelming support” it enjoyed in the global arena, adding that it was a “step forward” towards a permanent seat.
Addressing a press conference here moments after it was announced at the United Nations that India had won a non-permanent Security Council seat, Krishna thanked the global community on the country’s behalf for their overwhelming support.
This “reflects the expectations of the international community”, he said.
“This serves as an affirmation, if any was needed, of the overwhelming support India enjoys in the international community”.
“India’s will be a voice of moderation and constructive engagement in decisions of the security council,” Krishna said.
Krishna said the victory was indicative of India’s major role on the world stage in areas like combating terrorism and climate change.
“Our immediate priority will be to strengthen peace and stability in our near and extended neighbourhood that includes Afghanistan, the Middle East and Africa,”
“We live in a troubled neighbourhood,” the minister noted.
Asked whether this will strengthen India’s case for a permanent seat in the Security Council, Krishna said: “It’s a step forward in that direction.”
India will take a seat on the UN Security Council as a non-permanent member after a gap of nearly two decades, winning the Asian seat Tuesday with 187 of the 191 votes in the United Nations General Assembly poll.
This is the highest number of votes among countries who stood in the non-permanent category. This represents 98 percent of the UN General assembly.
With Kazakhstan withdrawing from the race in January, India became the sole candidate from the Asian region and its election to the non-permanent seat had become a near certainty.
India last held a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council in 1992.
South Africa and Colombia also won the African and Latin American seats for a two-year term on the powerful decision making body starting Jan 1, 2011.
