The Hindu : Front Page : India should have veto power: Putin

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Sunday, Dec 05, 2004

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India should have veto power: Putin

By Amit Baruah

NEW DELHI, DEC. 4. Russia wants India to enter the United Nations Security Council in the permanent category with veto power, the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, said here today before leaving for Bangalore on the second leg of his three-day visit to India.

Mr. Putin, who gave a nuanced response yesterday to a question on whether or not Russia supported India's entry on a par with the existing five members of the Council, gave a direct answer today.

Referring to the "absolutely incorrect" interpretation of his remarks by some newspapers, Mr. Putin said: "I saw what the Indian press is saying about this [his remarks on the veto issue on Friday]. All decisions to reform the U.N. Security Council should be taken by consensus ... " Giving details of his personal stand on the issue, Mr. Putin, who met the Vice-President, Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, the Defence Minister, Pranab Mukherjee, and the Leader of the Opposition, L.K. Advani, said: "I am convinced that India should have veto power, otherwise it will be one-sided reform of the United Nations."

Speaking to the press after inaugurating the BrahMos office complex at the Delhi cantonment, Mr. Putin pointed to "another factor" — if future permanent members of the Security Council were not given the veto, the next step would be the abolition of the veto power itself.

In his view, the absence of this power would undermine the U.N.'s credibility. "I would like to reiterate that all these decisions should be taken on the basis of consensus," he said.

Earlier, the External Affairs Ministry spokesman said that Mr. Putin at meetings with Mr. Shekhawat and Mr. Advani, "categorically rejected the interpretation given by some newspaper reports on his remarks yesterday about veto powers in an expanded Security Council."

Mr. Putin said he had emphasised the need to retain the instrument of veto as a means of ensuring the effectiveness of the Security Council.

The spokesman said that in extending full support to India's candidature, Mr. Putin felt that India as a new member should have the full rights of permanent membership, including the right of veto.

"If India achieves a permanent seat in the Security Council, it cannot be a permanent member of a second rank," he quoted Mr. Putin as saying.

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