UN Wire Alert

Wednesday, April 19, 2000

INDIA: Support For UN Seat Bid Growing

India is reveling in growing support from permanent members of the UN Security Council in a bid for its own seat. Within the past 10 days, the United States, France and the United Kingdom have indicated their willingness to consider admitting India to the council.

France and the UK announced their support for New Delhi, and a US envoy said Washington is "prepared to give India a serious consideration."

"Countries that were maintaining a distance from India are now taking up our case for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council," said Defense Minister George Fernandes. He attributed the new openness to India's bright economic prospects and its handling of last year's conflict in Kargil, when Indian forces fought back a Pakistani incursion while remaining on their side of the dividing line.

According to BBC Online, part of the reason for growing support of India is the widespread perception that it is an emerging global power with a population of 1 billion and a strategic position in the computer software industry.

Yesterday, British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook said after meeting with Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee that the UK would work with India on reforming the United Nations, adding that London sees India as a "clear contender" for a permanent seat on the council.

India's positive image is a change from 1998, when it was sharply criticized for conducting nuclear tests. Several countries, including the United States, imposed punitive economic sanctions as a result