US welcomes ‘more significant global role’ for India

WASHINGTON - Welcoming India’s election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, the United States has backed its role on regional and global issues, but stopped short of endorsing India’s quest for a permanent seat.

“We are well aware of India’s aspirations to play a more significant global role,” State Department spokesman Phillip Crowley told reporters Tuesday. “We have welcomed that expanded role by India both on regional issues and global issues.”

“But again, we will work within the UN and within the Security Council because we recognize that there are a number of countries in the world that have those same aspirations,” he said when asked if India could expect a more strong US support during President Barack Obama’s visit in early November.

“We are committed to continue to work constructively on UN reform,” Crowley repeated when asked if the US endorsed India’s candidature for a permanent seat on the 15-member decision making body of the United Nations.

The US welcomed Tuesday’s election of India, South Africa, Colombia, Portugal and Germany to the Security Council for a two-year term starting January, he said. “We look forward to working constructively with all members of the Security Council.”

“We trust that all new members will work to support the principles of the charter, contribute to the effectiveness and efficiency of the council, and uphold its role in maintaining international peace and security,” Crowley said.

The US was “committed to finding a way forward with our other member states on Security Council reform that preserves and strengthens the council’s efficiency and effectiveness so as to enhance its ability to carry out its mandate and meet the challenges of the 21st century.”

“But beyond that, I won’t speculate on what actions the UN might ultimately take,” he said.

The United States does not expect the BRIC countries - Brazil, Russia, India and China- who for the first time would come together in the Security Council, to emerge as a separate bloc within the Council as they have been working in concert outside, Crowley said.

“These are countries that have been playing significant roles and in some cases increasing roles in their respective regions for some time, and we welcome their participation in the Security Council.”

“The global challenges that we face cannot be solved by any one country,” Crowley said. “They’re going to need significant engagement, involvement, and support from these emerging powers, and you’ve got a very strong list of emerging powers who can rightfully play a more leading role on global issues.”

(Arun Kumar can be contacted at arun.kumar@ians.in)