Congressional resolution introduced backing India's UNSC bid

Washington: A resolution has been introduced in the US House of Representatives supporting India's bid for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council, with the lawmakers saying a permanent spot for the country on the Council would strengthen democracy around the world.

The resolution was introduced yesterday in the House by Congressman Frank Pallone, the co-founder of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans and Congressman Ami Bera, the only Indian-American in the Congress and current co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans.

India is the only country which has been endorsed by the Obama administration for a permanent member of the UN Security Council.

"At a time when international relations are being redefined, we should acknowledge and empower those nations that share our enduring core values," Pallone said in a statement after he introduced the bill in the House.

"It's in the interests of the United States and the world to have a UN Security Council whose members combine military strength with respect for democracy and pluralism, and an appreciation of the dangers posed by rouge states and terrorist groups," he said.

Last week, Pallone and Bera applauded Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call to strengthen ties between the US and India during a speech before a joint session of Congress.

"I was honoured to meet with Prime Minister Modi during his visit and I am more committed than ever to the bond between our two nations share and the positive impact that India would have on the UN Security Council," said Pallone, who along with Bera served on the escort committee that led Modi into the House chamber for the speech.

"As the world's oldest democracy and the world`s largest democracy, the United States and India share common values and a growing partnership on many fronts, especially on defence cooperation," said Bera.

"India plays a critical role as a strategic partner to the United States, and as a pillar of stability in South Asia. Securing a permanent spot for India on the UN Security Council would be beneficial for India and the United States, and would strengthen democracy around the world," he said.

In a statement, Pallone and Bera said the UN Security Council still reflects the world as it was in 1945 when the United Nations was created. Despite the fact that the UN has grown from 51 member nations at its inception to nearly 200, the Security Council has not grown to reflect these dramatic changes, they said.

There are currently five permanent members of the Council including the US, the UK, Russia, China, and France.

The resolution reflects the sense of the US Congress and it does not have any legislative implications on the Obama administration.