China for ‘package solution’ over India’s bid as UNSC permanent member
Beijing, Feb 10 (PTI):
China, which has been blocking India’s efforts to become a permanent member of the UN Security Council, on Wednesday reiterated its stand on New Delhi’s bid, and called for evolving a “package solution” that is acceptable to all to reform the top organ of the global body. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin’s comments in response to a question came a day after India and China discussed a wide range of issues relating to top UN body.
China is a permanent member of the UNSC while India began its two-year tenure as a non-permanent member on January 1. In August, India is scheduled to serve as the president of the UNSC. Asked about the outcome of the meeting and whether there was any discussion on India’s candidature for permanent membership of the UNSC, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang told a media briefing here that during virtual meeting, the two sides held consultations on Security Council issues. The two sides exchanged views on upholding multilateralism, peacekeeping operations and counter-terrorism, he said. “As for India’s bid for permanent membership to the UNSC, I can reiterate China’s principled position on this issue. China supports UNSC reforms in a manner that increases the authority and efficacy of the UNSC, increases the representation and voice of developing countries so that small and medium-sized countries have a greater opportunity to participate in the decision making of the UNSC, he said.
“It should be done through the widest possible democratic consultation and seek a package solution that takes into account the interests and concerns of all parties,” he said.