The Hindu : Front Page : Putin not for diluting veto powers of U.N. Security Council

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Dec 04, 2004

Front Page

Front Page

Putin not for diluting veto powers of U.N. Security Council

By Amit Baruah

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with Russian President Vladamir Putin at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on Friday. — Photo: Anu Pushkarna

NEW DELHI, DEC. 3. The Russian President, Vladimir Putin, said today that there could be no erosion of the existing "veto tool" of the United Nations Security Council, but emphasised that Moscow would "show significant flexibility" in the process of negotiations that might add permanent members such as India to the Council.

Mr. Putin, who spoke in the presence of the Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, held detailed discussions with Dr. Singh and signed a joint declaration on the future trajectory of bilateral relations. He also held talks with the President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, in the evening.

Nine accords signed

Nine agreements, including an accord for Indian use of the Russian global satellite navigation system (Glonass), peaceful cooperation in outer space and a strategic cooperation agreement in the gas sector, were signed between the two countries. Direct banking relations between Indian and Russian entities were also agreed upon.

The Prime Minister said that India would recognise Russia as a market economy in anti-dumping negotiations. It would work towards the speedy conclusion of a bilateral agreement leading to Russia's entry into the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and also clinch an intellectual property rights (IPR) agreement to protect defence technology in the next four months.

Asked whether Russia would support India's entry into the Security Council with veto powers so as not to create a "second class" category, Mr. Putin gave a long reply, leaving some of his remarks open to interpretation.

U.N. reorganisation

Favouring reorganisation of the U.N., Mr. Putin said India was the largest democracy in the world and Russia's "strategic, privileged partner". India was "number one" in Russia's list to enter the Security Council in the permanent category. "We believe that it would be absolutely unacceptable to erode such existing tools of the U.N. because otherwise the U.N. organisation will lose its weight, lose its role, changing into some discussion club — some new edition of the League of Nations."

"So, beyond any doubt, there should be no ... [inaudible] of the rights of the Security Council members. I think that would be a destructive approach. I would like to underscore that we have to show flexibility taking into account the interests of all participants in this [Council expansion] process," he said.

Russia favoured preserving the universal character of the U.N. which was serving as a tool for the resolution of conflicts. "We are fully in favour of reorganising the U.N., including an increase in the number of permanent members in the Security Council."

In his opening remarks, Dr. Singh said that defence cooperation was an "important pillar" of India-Russia relations, which had now moved beyond a traditional buyer-seller equation. Since bilateral trade was below potential, the joint commission would address the issue with a new sense of urgency.

Russia's entry into WTO

The Prime Minister said that he had assured Mr. Putin that India would support Russia's early entry into the WTO and said they also discussed further cooperation in the peaceful use of atomic energy. He was "fully satisfied" with his discussions, Dr. Singh saidand added that India was appreciative of Moscow's support to New Delhi on the issue of Security Council membership.

Mr. Putin said he was happy that the strategic relationship between the two countries was not influenced by political circumstances. He was grateful to Dr. Singh on two counts — for recognising Russia as a market economy and for supporting Russia's entry into the WTO.

Though he did not give any details, Mr. Putin said the two countries had now established a "real mechanism" for cooperation in full-scale space projects. "It is expanding and increasing," he said.

Asked about the early conclusion of the IPR agreement, Mr. Putin said this was an issue of interest to both sides. "I agree with what has been said," Mr. Putin said, echoing the point made by Dr. Singh that an accord would be reached in four months from January 1, 2005.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page

News Update

Stories in this Section

Putin not for diluting veto powers of U.N. Security Council

Putin to watch Dhruv flight

Act of God: Kalyan Singh

Drama, confusion mark hunt for Appu, businessman

Dangerous to reconstruct world on unipolar principles: Putin

Condition of MS improving