Amidst growing support from members of the United Nations, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh is expected to make a strong pitch for a comprehensive reform of the Security Council in his speech to the General Assembly later in the day. This is to create an equitable system that is reflective of current realities. Dr Singh is likely to push for a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism to tackle the scourge that India has been suffering for decades. Situation in Libya, West Asia, support for the Palestinian bid for membership of the UN may figure in his speech. AIR Correspondent reports, Prime Minister is addressing the General Assembly for the first time since India became a Non Permanent member of the Security council after 19 years. As Prime Minister of a key emerging economy that is playing a constructive role in contributing to global economic recovery, Dr Manmohan Singh is expected to reaffirm India's commitment at the UN to continue working with other countries on furthering global economic and financial stability as well as to foster, strong sustainable and balanced economic growth. Even as Europe and America are struggling to tackle the economic slow down, the world looks with awe on India’s growth story. There is growing concern over rising inflation and Prime Minister’s will deal at length with the international developments responsible for the increase in prices of crude oil prices and food products. Earlier, India , Brazil, Germany and Japan renewed their vision of an enlarged Security Council for the 21st century. Briefing reporters after a Ministerial level meeting of G 4 countries on the margins of the UN Session in New York, Foreign Secretary Mr Ranjan Mathai said the grouping called for enlarging the Security Council in both permanent and non-permanent categories. In a related development, China came in support of reforms in the Security Council. Talking to our correspondent Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechie said that Bejing wants developing nations to play a bigger role in the Security Council. When asked about China’s support to India’s candidature in the Security Council, he said India is a big country and china will talk to them. Foreign Secretary Mathai said that a meeting between External Affairs Minister Mr S.M.Krishna and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is being worked out. The meeting is likely to take place on Monday. He said the entire gamut of bilateral issues came up for review when Prime Minister had bilateral meetings with the Presidents of Iran , Sri Lanka and the Prime Minister of Japan. He said, India and Japan resolved to continue discussions on the civil nuclear co-operation and to intensify economic co-operation. On talks with the Iranian President, he said the situation in the region, West Asia and North Africa came up for review. Mr. Mathai said it was also decided to convene a meeting of Joint economic forum soon. In his meeting with the Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksha, the resettlement and rehabilitation process of displaced Tamils in Sri Lanka was also discussed. Devolution of power to the ethnic minority featured in the talks between the two leaders. Giving details on the BRICS foreign ministers meeting Mr. Mathai said preparations for the forthcoming meeting of the grouping in New Delhi in March next were also reviewed. Climate change also figured prominently in the deliberations with the stress that developing countries must have access to modern technology and funds for mitigation.
News On AIR | September 24, 2011 10:19 AM
PM to make strong pitch for comprehensive reform of Security Council