The Hindu : National : India, Japan to support each other for U.N. seat

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Friday, Aug 13, 2004

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India, Japan to support each other for U.N. seat

By Amit Baruah

NEW DELHI, AUG. 12. India and Japan have agreed to support each other's candidature for permanent membership of the United Nations' Security Council, the External Affairs Minister, Natwar Singh, and the visiting Japanese Foreign Minister, Yoriko Kawaguchi, said at a joint interaction with the press this evening.

With this, as many as three serious contenders for a permanent seat on the Council — Brazil, Germany and Japan — have agreed to support India's bid to enter the highest decision-making body of the U.N., in return for reciprocal support from New Delhi.

"Japan and India share the understanding that it is of great importance to enhance the effectiveness and credibility of the Security Council, particularly through expanding the membership of the Security Council..."

"Japan and India, based on the firmly-shared recognition that both countries are legitimate candidates for the permanent membership of the Security Council in the light of the current realities of the international community, will support each other's candidature, and make utmost efforts and closely work together towards realising the reform of the Security Council," the two Ministers said.

An official-level dialogue on U.N. reforms has also been agreed upon, with B.S. Prakash, Joint Secretary (United Nations) in the External Affairs Ministry, travelling to Tokyo for the first meeting on August 23.

During their discussions this evening, India and Japan decided to set up a joint working group to counter terrorism and take forward the work of a joint study group to enhance economic relations.

In brief remarks to the press, Ms. Kawaguchi said that Japan recognised India as a major power in Asia and the world and a key factor for stability. Japan, she said, looked forward to a better economic relationship with India.

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