China supports India's desire 'to play bigger role' in UNSC

Reacting cautiously to assertions of the India's envoy to UN, Hardeep Singh Puri's remarks that China would not be an obstacle to Indian becoming a permanent member of the UNSC, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Hong Lei said Beijing understands and supports New Delhi’s desire to play a bigger role in the UN, including the UNSC.

"China had always attached importance to India's role in international affairs either as an emerging economy or a large developing country," state-run Xinhua news agency quoted Hong as saying while responding to Puri’s remarks.

"China understands and supports India's desire to play a bigger role in the United Nations, including its Security Council," he said.

"We support rational and necessary reform of the UNSC, and increasing the representation of developing countries at the UNSC should be a priority," said the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman.

"China is ready to keep contacts and consultations with the UN member states, including India, on the reform of the UNSC," Hong said.

"There is no change in China's position on the reform of the UNSC," Hong said.

At the same time, he stated that member countries had sharply divergent views on the reform of the UNSC, and all parties should continue democratic and patient negotiations in an effort to find solutions that had popular support among member countries.

China is the only member of the permanent five of the UNSC that has not yet openly come out in support of India's bid for a permanent seat.

US President Barack Obama supported India’s case for a permanent seat in the UNSC during his visit to New Delhi last year.

Besides Puri, Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao also said after the recent visit of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao to New Delhi that she too believe China was unlikely to stand in the way when the process of reform reaches an ultimate decision stage.