NEW DELHI: India said on Wednesday that its election to the first-ever United Nations Human Rights Council was a recognition of its "diplomatic standing" in the comity of nations and its commitment to promotion and protection of human rights.

The External Affairs Ministry spokesperson told presspersons that India had secured a total of 173 votes out of a possible 190 in New York on Tuesday - the highest number of votes among the contested seats to the 47-member Council.

"As a democratic and pluralistic country, committed to the rule of law, Indian presence on the new Human Rights Council would bring a unique perspective to the new body during its formative phase," the spokesman said.

He revealed that following the elections a draw of lots was held to determine the length of each successful member's term on the Council.

India got a one-year term while China got three years and Pakistan two.

"The first year of the Human Rights Council is important since the work methods and procedures would be decided and the review of the special provisions and mechanisms from the CHR [the old Commission on Human Rights] would be carried out."

According to the spokesperson, India attached great importance to the new Council and would work to make it a strong, effective and efficient body capable of promoting and protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms for all.

In a related development, a senior official said on background that the world had acknowledged India's commitment to human rights by electing it to the Council.

He pointed out that all the G-4 group nations - India, Brazil, Germany and Japan - which were trying to enter the U.N. Security Council - had all been elected to the Human Rights Council by impressive margins.

Asked whether India's election was a function of American support to New Delhi, the official replied that this was not the case. India's solidarity with the G-77 and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) had been the key to the votes garnered by New Delhi, the official said.

On whether India believed that some "unclean" nations had managed to get into the Council, the official responded that all elected members had received the support of a simple majority of the United Nations General Assembly.

He added that the first meeting of the new Council would take place in Geneva on June 19.

Asked about the reform of other U.N. bodies, the official stated that India had already made it to the new Peace-Building Commission as New Delhi was one of the largest troop contributors to U.N. missions.

Since the process of entry of other members into this Commission was not yet complete, India's membership had not yet been announced.

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