China softens stand on India’s demand for UNSC seat

10 Jul 2009

China seems to have softened its line on India's bid for a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council seat.

Indians foreign secretary Shiv Shankar Menon, who is accompanying prime mister Manmohan Singh to the G8 Summit, has said that China is in favour of India being included in the UNSC.

A joint declaration by the G8 countries titled 'Promoting the Global Agenda' addresses the question of reforming world institutions by giving greater representation to developing nations also acknowledging the need to reform the UN.

India's assertive diplomacy on financial reforms paid off with the forum reaching a consensus on increasing the share of emerging economies like India in institutions like the IMF and World bank.

However, the communiqué was not committed on India's demand on UNSC seat.

Manmohan Singh had earlier in the day said that the current composition of the UNSC was outdated, and demanded India's inclusion in the body.