India for expansion of both permanent, non-permanent UNSC seats

India has demanded expansion in both permanent and non-permanent seats of the UN Security Council, saying increasing the membership only in the non-permanent category or any of its other variants does not constitute reform of the world body.

"There cannot be any reform without expansion in both the categories of membership," Hardeep Singh Puri, India's envoy
to the UN, said last night at a meeting convened to discuss
the negotiating text for the Security Council reform.

"Equally, expansion only in the non-permanent category or any of its other variants does not constitute reform and is merely the perpetuation of the current inefficiency by the same ineffective means in vogue since 1963," he said.

In the closed-door meeting, India -- which along with Japan, Germany, South Africa and Brazil is seeking permanent membership of the Security Council -- also pointed out that a
vast majority of countries were in favour of expanding the
current size of the world body's top organ from 15 to the
mid-20s.

Puri's remarks came a day after a top US official said India would play a "central part" in the Security Council reform process but stopped short of publicly endorsing the country's bid for a permanent seat.

"We're open to expansion of permanent membership of the Council and we believe that India's going to have a central
part to play in the consideration that's going to come of that
reform of the UN Security Council," Under Secretary of State
for Political Affairs William Burns said.

During this year's inaugural discussions on the UN reform, Zahir Tanin, Afghanistan's permanent representative to the UN, in his capacity as the Chairperson of the process asked member states to submit proposals that can be worked into a negotiating text, which will be the basis for future discussions.

At the meeting in the UN headquarters, India also underlined the need for equitable geographical distribution.

"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," Puri said.

This year, India is also running for a non-permanent seat of the Council for which elections will be held in October. Puri and his team have been canvassing for the spot for the past three years.

Earlier this year, Kazakhstan's withdrew from the electoral race leaving India with a clean slate for 2010-11. 

To win, India needs two-thirds of the General Assembly vote, which adds up to about 128 counties saying 'yes' to New Delhi's presence in the Security Council.