The Hindu : International / India & World : India to coordinate with `other three' on Council seat

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Dec 18, 2004

International

International - India & World

India to coordinate with `other three' on Council seat

By P.S. Suryanarayana

SINGAPORE, DEC. 17. "Extensive consultations with a very large number of countries" will provide an impetus to India's efforts to become a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

Outlining a game-plan on these lines, the External Affairs Minister, K. Natwar Singh, has told The Hindu here that India will, in particular, "coordinate with the other three" members of the `Group of Four' aspirants for permanent membership — Japan, Germany and Brazil.

In an interview during a stopover here on his way to New Delhi from Seoul, Mr. Singh spoke of some progress regarding India's initiative, on an altogether different front, for the formation of an "Asian Economic Community (AEC)." The proposal was "welcomed" by the South Korean President, Roh Moo-hyun, whom he met in Seoul. Mr. Roh conveyed Seoul's readiness to participate in a workshop to be hosted by India next year to evolve a concept paper on the proposed AEC.

Echoing Mr. Singh's assessment, Kim Man-soo, a spokesman for the South Korean President, said in Seoul that Mr. Roh, while welcoming the AEC idea, suggested a cautious approach. On the UNSC expansion, Mr. Singh said the South Koreans "are aware of our candidature." South Korea is a member of the "Coffee Club" of medium-sized countries, which include Pakistan, with reservations about the enlargement of the permanent membership.

As for India's overall strategy on the U.N. reform issue, he said that special envoys would be sent to various parts of the world, including Africa. This could play "a very important role" in the General Assembly, where a two-third majority would be required for the adoption of the Security Council's recommendation on the issue. "We are also in touch with South Africa and Nigeria, who have declared their interest in being permanent members."

Noting that the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, "has said India should have the veto power" as a potential permanent member, Mr. Singh cited New Delhi's status as a U.N. founding member and its record in the fields of de-colonisation, anti-apartheid movement, disarmament and peace-keeping as plus points in what could be a "very complex exercise."

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