Five permanent members not too enthusiastic on UN reforms: SM Krishna

Pitching for permanent seat in the expanded UN Security Council, India today observed that its five permanent members were not as enthusiastic as developing nations on reforms in the world body which was delaying the process.

External affairs minister SM Krishna said that India, Brazil and South Africa (IBSA) along with Germany and Japan have been trying to hasten the process of reforms as they believe that the UN does not reflect the contemporary reality.

"We are hopeful we will be able to carry a large number of countries with us but we have not been able to drive the same kind of conviction with the permanent members of the UNSC, but we are at it," he said.

Noting that the UN Charter was written in 1945, Krishna said even at the end of the first decade of the 21st century the UN reforms were nowhere in sight.

"The UN charter was written in 1945. We are now at the end of the first decade of the 21st century and we do not see UN reforms coming yet," he said in an interaction with visiting African journalists here.

"But we are also aware of the severe limitations that are imposed by the other circumstances where entrenched powers are not as enthusiastic as many developing countries," he said.

Contending that there has been "overwhelming consensus" on UN reforms, he, however, said that it cannot take place until the permanent members of the UNSC were "willing to play the game with us".

Krishna said that IBSA along with Japan and Germany have been trying to impress upon the permanent members of the UNSC on "the urgency, the need, the necessity to make UN truly representative".

Recalling his recent visit to New York, the minister said text-based negotiations on the issue were underway at the level of Permanent Representatives (PR) at the UN.

"The PRs of various countries have been working together and trying to find a consensus to bring about reforms. We are flexible," Krishna said.

The minister stressed on the need to infuse new vigour in the ties between India and Africa which have been fascinated by each other's cultural traditions and have a lot to offer in both directions.

"We have historical linkages with the African continent, having shared many trials and tribulations together. It is gratifying that our relationship has transformed in recent decades and years. We have now become developmental partners, looking out for each others interests and well being," Krishna told the African journalists.

The visit of the media persons from Africa is part of the largest outreach programme of the Ministry of External Affairs.

As many as 19 journalists from 10 African nations are on a week-long tour of India.