India has managed to secure its candidature for a non-permanent seat at the powerful UN Security Council for a two-year term. This has been possible after careful diplomatic maneuvering which allowed the country to receive a unanimous endorsement by the Asia-Pacific group at the world body, reports DNA.
India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin posted on Twitter regarding the same:
A video message accompanying Akbaruddi's tweet said "Asia-Pacific Group endorses India for Non-Permanent Seat of United Nations Security Council. 55 countries, 1 nominee - India for non-permanent seat of UN Security Council Term 2021-2022."
Via video message countries that are members of Asia Pacific group were thanked for endorsing India's candidature. Among the 55 countries supporting India's candidature are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Syria, Turkey, UAE and Vietnam.
Previously, India has been elected as a non-permanent member of the Council for the years 1950 1951, 1967 1968, 1972 1973, 1977 1978, 1984 1985, 1991 1992 and most recently in 2011 2012 under the leadership of former Ambassador and current Minister of State (Independent Charge) Hardeep Singh Puri.
India has been waging an aggressive diplomatic offensive for years to reform the United nations Security Council, saying it rightly deserves a place as a permanent member of the Council being the world’s largest democracy.