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India seeks increase in UNSC membership

By Spl correspondent - 15 Sep 2010 12:00 AM GMT

NEW DELHI, Nov 12 � Making a strong pitch for increasing the membership of the United Nation Security Council (UNSC), Bhubaneswar Kalita has cited the overwhelming support of UN member-states for expansion of the Council in both its permanent and non-permanent categories.

There is convergence on the need for expansion from the current fifteen to a figure in the mid-twenties. Also, most of the positions have called for a mandatory review after a period ranging from eight to fifteen years, he said.

Kalita was addressing the 65th session of the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday, as member of the Indian delegation on the joint debate on Report of the Security Council and on and increase in the membership of the Security Council.

On the issue of regional representation, he said, India supports a Charter-based distribution of seats that addresses the lack of representation of African, Latin American and Caribbean countries and the lack of adequate representation of Asian countries in the permanent membership; as well as the lack of adequate representation of developing countries, including least developed, landlocked countries and small island states in the non-permanent membership.

�We are happy that with each passing day, countries and leaders around the world are publicly articulating their support for India�s candidature as a new permanent member of an expanded Security Council. Most recently, India received affirmation of support from the US President Barack Obama. The Indian delegation takes this opportunity to thank the US side for this kind gesture. We also call on other nations to extend their valuable support to us,� he said.

Calling for support from the UN Secretary General, he expressed it would complement the initiative and enthusiasm in the context of Council reforms. This issue, without doubt acquires salience in the coming year as the Secretary General prepares for his second term.

In this context, it is important to note that an overwhelming majority of member states have clearly expressed their preference for such a reform during the five rounds of intergovernmental negotiations held so far on the issue of reform of the Council.

He said it is imperative that the annual report of the Security Council inform, highlight and analyze the measures that it has decided upon or taken to maintain international peace and security during the reporting period.

The UN membership must recognise that the lacunae in the report are a manifestation of the underlying problems of representation and working methods of the Council, which remain opaque and non-inclusive. The report, this year too, continues to be a statistical compilation of events, a bland summary and listing of meetings and outcome documents.