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| 23 October 2004 | Saturday | 08 Ramazan 1425 |
India told to wait for Annan's report on UNSC
New Delhi, Oct 22: China wants India to wait for the report from UN Secretary General Kofi Annan on the issue of the restructuring of the Security Council before Beijing could commit to New Delhi's role in it, the United News of India said on Thursday quoting Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing.
Speaking to UNI in Almaty on the margins of an Asia security conference, Mr Li described India as a big power but "avoided a direct response to a question on China's support to India's claim for permanent membership in the UN Security Council", the report said.
"He merely said that a decision would be taken only after the release of the report of the high-level committee constituted by UN chief Kofi Annan in December," UNI said.
Earlier this week, Tang Jiaxuan, influential State Councillor and former foreign minister of China, was quoted in New Delhi as saying his country hoped to see India play a larger role in the Security Council and to contribute even more to international peace and development.
However, Mr Tang too had stopped short of explicitly supporting New Delhi's bid for a permanent seat on the world body. "We understand and endorse your aspiration to play a more important role in international affairs," he had said.
While three of the five permanent members of the Council - France, Britain and Russia -- have openly supported India's candidature, the United States and China have so far limited themselves to saying that they would like to see India play a more prominent role in world affairs, UNI said.
Indian Foreign Minister Kunwar Natwar Singh and Mr Li held detailed talks in Almaty on Thursday about Asia's political situation. Mr Li was a classmate of Mr Singh during their university days, UNI said.
It said the minister, while appreciating Pakistan's anti-terror moves, expressed confidence that cooperation between India, China and Russia would go a long way in combating terrorism. When asked whether Pakistan was dealing effectively with alleged cross-border terrorism against India, Mr Li avoided a direct comment, UNI said.
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