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During his recent visit to <keyword id="3658" type="COUNTRY" weightage="20" keywordseo="India">India</keyword>, <keyword id="14566" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Chinese-President">Chinese President</keyword> <keyword id="191809" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Xi-Jinping">Xi Jinping</keyword> made a statement that he will support India for a permanent membership in the UN Security Council (<keyword id="45167" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="UNSC">UNSC</keyword>). The statement means more to those who are closely watching Sino-Indian relation have hailed than the trade and investment deals which are expected to lead to inflow of billions of dollars to India. 
 While the statement seems to reflect the seemingly improved relationship between the two Asian giants which is said to have precipitated Jinping’s visit and the string of trade pacts he signed, critics warn that it should be taken with a pinch of salt, for this is not the first time <keyword id="1334" type="COUNTRY" weightage="20" keywordseo="China">China</keyword> has pronounced something like this. Each time, it has turned out to be a propagandist assertion of its traditional position on India’s quest for a permanent membership in UNSC—that it is in favour of India playing a greater role in UNSC—which is nothing but typical diplomatic PR punchline that lacks clarity, purposefulness and earnestness. 
 
While India was among the founding members of United Nations, the permanent membership in UNSC always remained elusive. In fact, India’s endeavour for permanent membership in UNSC began in 1955 when the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru reportedly turned down the coveted status offered to India which was then grabbed by China. While the reason for Nehru’s inadvertent gesture—which he repeatedly denied—still remains a mystery (there are those who believe that he trusted China a bit too much), it proved to be costlier for India. 
 
Why India deserves a permanent place in UNSC? 
 The reasons are aplenty. First, with a population of a tad more than 1.2 billion, India will soon overtake China as the most populous country of the world. So no one can deny its ubiquitous physical presence in the world stage and the resultant need for adequate representation in a strategic forum like UNSC. Second, barring nagging problems including inequality, illiteracy, poverty and corruption, India is the largest democracy in the world. Excluding the 21-month interlude of ‘emergency’ during 1975-77 under Indira Gandhi, it religiously adhered to the norms of democracy since gaining independence from the British In 1947. Third, it is the 10th largest economy in the world and its army is the third-largest globally. Fourth, India has been a member of the UNSC for six terms totaling 12 years besides being a member of G-77 and G-4; therefore, a permanent membership in UNSC seems a logical extension. Fifth, it is the third-largest contributor of troops (close to 160,000 soldiers) to more than 40 UN peacekeeping efforts including those in Korea, Egypt, the Congo, Somalia, Angola, Haiti, Liberia, Lebanon, Rwanda and South Sudan and more than 150 Indian soldiers lost their lives while serving in UN missions. 
 
Prerequisites that will lead to India’s permanent membership of the UNSC First, for the UNSC should be enlarged to 25 members from 15 currently, possibly ensuring geographic representation (for instance, Africa and South America are excluded from permanent membership). Considering UNSC’s slow, conservative demeanour, this seems unlikely in the near future. Second, all the five permanent members—the US, the UK, France, Russia and China which enjoy veto power—should endorse India’s candidature. US President Barack Obama and UK Prime Minister David Cameron recently said they would support India’s case for permanent <keyword id="487341" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="UNSC-membership">UNSC membership</keyword>. France and Russia too are not averse to supporting India. This means than India’s bigger Asian counterpart China is the real stumbling block in its quest for permanent UNSC membership. 
 
But why China is vehemently opposed to India’s permanent entry in the august body? Well, for one, it doesn’t want to lose its coveted status as the only Asian country in UNSC permanently. Second, China opposes Japan's bid for permanent UNSC membership while India supports Japan and China is not likely to support India as long as India supports Japan. India’s is unlikely to withdraw support for Japan as being part of the G4 nations—Brazil and Germany besides India and Japan—it is committed to support each other’s bids for permanent seats in UNSC. 
Given this labyrinthine situation, it is to be seen how the Narendra Modi government coerce China to convert Jinping’s recent diplomatic rhetoric to concrete action supporting India’s decade-long quest for a permanent UNSC seat.

India's Quest For Permanent UN Security Council Seat: The Ball Is In China’s Court

India has said that it is "untenable" that 137 developing nations are represented by only one <keyword id="193798" type="POSITION" weightage="80" keywordseo="permanent-member">permanent member</keyword> in the UN Security Council, as it insisted that maintaining the status quo on the Council's membership is "definitely not an option". 
 
 Participating in a briefing on UN Security Council reforms in <keyword id="6355838" type="COMPANY" weightage="80" keywordseo="New-York">New York</keyword> yesterday, India's <keyword id="2722" type="POSITION" weightage="80" keywordseo="ambassador">Ambassador</keyword> <keyword id="376834" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Asoke-Mukerji">Asoke Mukerji</keyword> said there is need to "urgently" broaden the Council to make it more representative, effective and democratic. 
 
"Maintaining the status quo as far as the membership of the Council is concerned is definitely not an option. For many developing countries, it is simply untenable that out of 137 developing country members of the UN, only one has so far been accommodated as a permanent member of the Council," he said. 
 During the briefing, <keyword id="6415823" type="POSITION" weightage="80" keywordseo="chair">Chair</keyword> of the Intergovernmental Negotiations Ambassador Courtenay Rattray tabled a framework document designed to reflect the various positions of the membership, aimed at moving the intergovernmental negotiations process towards text-based negotiations. 
However, it is learnt that China "led the charge" in blocking the UNSC reforms process by rejecting the proposed road map, saying that the Chair had no right to table a text. 
 While pro-reform groups like the L-69, CARICOM bloc of Caribbean nations, Small Island Developing States, G4 and <keyword id="12925" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="80" keywordseo="Africa">Africa</keyword> supported the Chair's proposal, China, Pakistan and the Uniting for Consensus group of nations rejected it. 
 Among the permanent five nations, the US and UK are learnt to have voiced their support for working with the Chair. The US and <keyword id="6358826" type="COUNTRY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Russia">Russia</keyword>, however, said that there should not be any timelines to achieve results in the reform process. 
 
India feels that the framework document presented by the Chair is a positive breakthrough as it noted that world leaders had unanimously agreed at the 60th anniversary of UN Summit in 2005 to achieve "early reforms" of the UNSC. 
 
 
"When we meet again, we hope to at least have the outlines of a negotiation text on the table," Mukerji said. 
 <keyword id="107186" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="General-Assembly">General Assembly</keyword> <keyword id="2540" type="POSITION" weightage="80" keywordseo="President">President</keyword> Sam Kutesa underscored that moving towards a negotiating text is a way of building mutual trust and creating an atmosphere conducive for constructive engagement and dialogue and he was "heartened" to hear the broad support for such a process. 
 
 
He said reform of the UNSC is of critical importance and a "key priority" during the current UNGA session.

India wants that one ‘permanent’ seat in the UN
Security Council, and it won’t have it any other way!

<ul class="summary-list"><li>In a rare move, <keyword id="11894337" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="russia" source="Orion">Russia</keyword> was suspended from the UN Human Rights Council over the <keyword id="11985141" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="ukraine" source="Orion">Ukraine</keyword> war.</li><li>This has only happened to one other country in history: Libya.</li></ul>The <keyword id="11896449" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="united-nations" source="Orion">United Nations</keyword> General Assembly voted on Tuesday to suspend Russia from the Human Rights Council over its atrocities in Ukraine. Ninety-three countries <a href="https://twitter.com/MarkLGoldberg/status/1512095465579458574?s=20&amp;t=H9LMJTAUTkFutqKzvzZ7xw">voted in favor</a> of the resolution to expel Russia from the Council, where countries are elected to serve three-year terms. Meanwhile, 24 countries voted against the resolution, and 58 abstained from voting. As a result, Russia became the first permanent member of the UN Security Council (UNSC) to be suspended from any UN body. "Russia's rights of membership in the UN Human Rights Council has just been suspended," Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba <a href="https://twitter.com/DmytroKuleba/status/1512095879037169665?s=20&amp;t=v4exBo68fLLyO_7hs4gPOw">tweeted</a> after the vote.He added: "War criminals have no place in UN bodies aimed at protecting human rights. Grateful to all member states which supported the relevant UNGA resolution and chose the right side of history."Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the US ambassador to the UN, said the move marked "an important and historic day.""We have collectively sent a clear message that Russia will be held accountable," she <a href="https://twitter.com/USAmbUN/status/1512098057852235777?s=20&amp;t=BSz9sm5kOZ_i-w4LF8rXSQ">tweeted</a>. Thomas-Greenfield <a href="https://twitter.com/USAmbUN/status/1510970658154590212?s=20&amp;t=BSz9sm5kOZ_i-w4LF8rXSQ">called</a> for Russia's suspension from the UN's top rights body after the recent discovery of mass civilian killings in the Kyiv suburb of Bucha. A suspension has only happened to one other country — Libya in 2011. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also called for Russia to be removed from the UNSC over its actions in Ukraine. In an impassioned speech to the UNSC on Tuesday, Zelenskyy said the body should <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/zelenskyy-tells-united-nations-dissolve-punish-russia-war-2022-4">"dissolve"</a> itself if revoking Russia's membership is not an option. There are open questions as to the legal path to removing Russia from the body, given it's one of five permanent members and has veto power as such. Along these lines, Zelenskyy called for the UN to be <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/zelenskyy-says-russia-is-no-different-than-isis-as-he-bashes-the-un-2022-4">reformed "immediately,"</a> contending that the <keyword id="6356001" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="international" source="Orion">international</keyword> system failed Ukraine.Suspending Russia from the UN Human Rights Council required two-thirds of the General Assembly to vote in favor (abstensions did not count as votes).The move marks a historic rebuke of one of the founding members of the UN, and is indicative of the myriad ways in which Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine has seen Moscow isolated on the global stage.

Russia suspended from UN Human Rights Council over Ukraine war, which has only happened to one other country in history

By K J M Varma Beijing, Jun 19 () China on Friday gave a lukewarm response to India's election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, saying as a permanent member, it would like to enhance cooperation with all the newly-elected members of the top organ of the UN. Asked for his response to India's election to the non-permanent seat of the UNSC with an overwhelming majority of 184 votes out of total 192 UN members amidst the current round of India-China military tensions, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian did not mention India by name. "The UNSC is an important organ to uphold International peace and security following the UN charter," Zhao said. "As a permanent member, China would like to enhance cooperation with all parties of the UNSC including the newly elected non-permanent members to jointly fulfil the responsibility given by the UN charter," he said. While countries like Germany, Norway and Ukraine have congratulated India on its emphatic victory, China has not done so nor did the Chinese foreign ministry spokesman mention India by name. China has been stonewalling India's efforts to become member of the UN's powerful body for years, pointing to the lack of consensus even though the other four permanent members, the US, the UK, France and Russia have expressed backing for New Delhi's membership. China has in the past said there were major differences among UN members over UNSC reforms maintaining that a "package solution" should be found to accommodate the interests and concerns of all parties. India, the endorsed candidate from the Asia-Pacific States grouping, garnered 184 votes out of the total 192 polled in the Security Council elections on Wednesday. Along with India, Norway, Ireland and Mexico will join the Security Council as the non-permanent members for a two-year term beginning January 1, 2021. This is the eighth time that India will sit at the Council's horseshoe-shaped table. Previously, India was elected for the years 1950-1951, 1967-1968, 1972-1973, 1977-1978, 1984-1985, 1991-1992 and most recently in 2011-2012. KJV AKJ PYK AKJ

China lukewarm to India's emphatic win at UNSC

Prime Minister <keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword> today sought Ireland's support for India's permanent membership of the reformed <keyword id="55859" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="UN-Security-Council">UN Security Council</keyword> and international export control regimes including NSG during his visit to <keyword id="20607" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Dublin">Dublin</keyword>. 

	Thanking Ireland for its support which was crucial for India-specific exemption from Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) in 2008, Modi said,"I have now sought Ireland's support for India's membership of the NSG and other international export control regimes. India's membership will deepen our bilateral cooperation and strengthen international non-proliferation efforts." 
 

	Modi, who is the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Ireland in 59 years, held talks with Kenny after which he hoped that Ireland's visa policy will be sensitive to the requirements of India's IT firms. 
 

	"I also hope that Ireland's visa policy will be sensitive to the requirements of India's Information Technology firms. I also conveyed our interest in concluding a social security agreement, which will be of great help to professionals from both countries," Modi said.
 

	He also noted that their discussions underlined the importance of closer cooperation between the two countries which share democratic values and are consistent advocates of international peace and stability. 
 

	"I was pleased to exchange views on a broad range of international challenges, including terrorism, radicalisation and the situation in Europe and Asia," Modi said at a joint media event with Kenny. 
 

	He asserted that India has been a leading voice on universal nuclear disarmament since Independence and will remain strongly committed to that goal. 
 

	The Prime Minister also sought Ireland's support for the reforms of the UNSC within a fixed time frame - in particular, for successful conclusion of inter-governmental negotiations in the 70th year of the United Nations. 
 

	On the trade front, he said the bilateral trade and investment ties were growing, despite global and regional uncertainties and the economic partnership can have a strong technology focus - information technology, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, agricultural and clean energy. 
 

	(Image credits: Indiatimes)

PM Narendra Modi reaches out to Ireland for permanent membership in UNSC

India's landslide victory through an unopposed inclusion into the <keyword id="138690" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="United-Nations-Security-Council">United Nations Security Council</keyword> (UNSC) as a non-permanent member has irked the Imran Khan-led government in Pakistan, as angry reactions have started coming out of Islamabad, threatening India of dire consequences in case of any misadventure committed along the <keyword id="44759" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Line-of-Control">Line of Control</keyword> (LoC) and the Working Boundary (WB). Pakistan's Foreign Minister <keyword id="121648" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Shah-Mahmood-Qureshi">Shah Mahmood Qureshi</keyword> has warned India against any misadventure, threatening of a telling retaliatory response. "Beware, beware, remember February 2019 and be ready for a quick retaliation while casting an evil eye on us," he said during his address to the Upper House (Senate) of Pakistan. Qureshi lashed out at Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indian External Affairs Minister S. <keyword id="236448" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Jaishankar">Jaishankar</keyword>, asserting, "Pakistan can't be cowed down by the Indians." Qureshi also reiterated Islamabad's inclination towards Beijing in the recent deadly clashes in Ladakh between Indian and Chinese forces, stating that Indian soldiers were suffering casualties there. "There is a dramatic shift in the region. China has openly landed in the arena against India," he said. "Nepal, which was thought to be completely under India's influence, is now making claims on some disputed areas with India, while Sri Lanka and Bhutan also had their objections. Afghanistan also thinks India is impeding reconciliation process there," he added. Qureshi briefed the Senate stating that India is facing isolation and New Delhi is feeling the pressure. He also reiterated Islamabad's concerns over what they call a false-flag operation by New Delhi aimed at diverting attention of the global community from the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, which has remained under lockdown for almost a year now. Qureshi's aggressive remarks came at a time when the Imran Khan-led government is facing serious criticism from its opposition parties for failing to raise the issue of Kashmir at the UN platform and giving India a walkover to become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. While Pakistan voted against India's contention for the non-permanent membership, its vote didn't matter as a heavy majority voted in favour of New Delhi. "Though it was a secret balloting, Pakistan openly said that it had voted against India for last year's August 5 unconstitutional steps it took in occupied Jammu and Kashmir and for violating the UN Charter, UNSC resolutions and international norms," maintained Qureshi. Pakistan's anger over India's inclusion into the UNSC is understandable as its ongoing diplomatic campaign to attract support against the Modi government for its decision taken on August 5, 2019, abrogating Articles 370 and 35A, changing the special status of the state of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories, in the United Nations has practically failed to yield results. Tensions at the Line of Control (LoC) have also intensified in the recent days as heavy exchanges of artillery firing have claimed lives of border security forces and civilians on both sides. Pakistan and India both have been lodging strong protests against the ceasefire violations, summoning senior diplomats of respective high commissions to record their protests. Tensions are expected to flare up in the coming days as August 5, 2020 inches closer, marking one year of the lockdown in Jammu and Kashmir, for which Islamabad is gearing up to stage protests, rallies and international conferences. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/defense/news/experts-believe-that-the-india-china-border-dispute-is-unlikely-to-turn-into-another-war-like-the-one-in-1962/articleshow/76128454.cms">India and China are testing each other at the Ladakh border— but it won’t be another war like in 1962, according to experts</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/policy/foreign-policy/news/the-fear-of-china-has-put-the-global-spotlight-on-india-its-raked-up-three-comprehensive-strategic-partnerships-in-the-last-24-months/slidelist/76258833.cms">The fear of China has put the global spotlight on India ⁠⁠— its raked up three Comprehensive Strategic Partnerships in the last 24 months</a>

Pakistan warns India 'to be ready for quick retaliation' amid LoC tensions and UNSC membership

Prime Minister <keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword> met US President <keyword id="15962" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Barack-Obama">Barack Obama</keyword> and the latter warmly received Modi by hugging him before their meeting. 
This is the fifth time both the leaders have met in a year. 
 
The meeting gave the two leaders an opportunity to take forward the discussions they had in New Delhi in January when Obama travelled to India to attend the Republic Day Parade as its chief guest. 
 
Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his press statement by recalling mutual visits to Washington and New Delhi 
He then went on to say that youth, technology and innovation are the driving forces for the natural partnerships of Indians and Americans in advancing human progress. 
 “I was in the <keyword id="6357722" type="COMPANY" weightage="80" keywordseo="silicon-valley">Silicon Valley</keyword> over the weekend and experienced the strength of American innovation and enterprise,” he added. 
 
 
 
He also thanked Obama for supporting India’s permanent membership of a reformed UNSC, saying that he also sought US support for completing the reforms within a fixed period of time. 
 
Modi also welcomed the progress in the Joint Strategic Vision on Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean regions and with partners like Japan. 
 “To further increase our engagement in the region, I look forward to working with the US for India’s early membership of <keyword id="71653" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="APEC">APEC</keyword>,” said Modi. 
He then closed the Press statement with a focus on the economic partnership as a key driver of the relationship. 
 Earlier in the day, Modi also held bilateral meetings with his British counterpart <keyword id="6430216" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="David-Cameron">David Cameron</keyword> and French President Francois Hollande. 
 
The Modi-Obama meeting comes close on the heels of the conclusion of the inaugural Strategic and Commercial Dialogue between the US and India. In the dialogue, India and the US today agreed to deepen cooperation in fighting terrorism and asked Pakistan to bring to justice the 2008 Mumbai attack perpetrators. 
 
Image credit: @MEAIndia

Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets US President  Barack
Obama

Pakistan is trying to step up infiltration and push in more terrorists into J&amp;K after failing to instigate the people of Kashmir following last year's August 5 decision of revoking Article 370 . GoC 19 Infantry Division Kashmir Major General Virendra Vats said this at a press conference in Baramulla, North Kashmir on Saturday. "Pakistan has been failing in its attempt to instigate the people of Kashmir ever since we had the momentous decision of August last year, they have been trying very hard, they also know the season is coming to an end very soon, three or four months is what they have, so they shall try their best to push in the terrorists," he said. The GoC said that the launch pads across the LoC are fully active and terrorists are making attempts to infiltrate into India. "The launch pads are fully occupied and if we have to hazard a guess it would be anything between 250 to 300 terrorists in the launch pads, he said. About Saturday's operation at Nougam Kupwara in which infiltrators were killed, he said the action of the troops was precise and timely, thereby ensuring a clean operation. "The infiltration attempt follows similar attempts made by Pakistan in Kupwara and Rajouri sectors in the recent past and needs to be seen in the backdrop of various inputs about increased presence of terrorists in the launch pads across the LoC fully facilitated and supported by the Pakistan army," he said. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/defense/news/china-and-pakistan-have-more-nuclear-weapons-as-compared-to-india/articleshow/76420350.cms">The total nuclear arsenal between India and China can destroy the world many times over</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/defense/news/pakistan-is-trying-to-piggyback-on-india-china-border-dispute-as-loc-ceasefire-violations-triple/articleshow/76762269.cms">Pakistan is trying to ‘piggyback’ on India-China border dispute as LoC ceasefire violations triple</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/defense/news/pakistan-warns-india-to-be-ready-for-quick-retaliation-amid-loc-tensions-and-unsc-membership/articleshow/76482372.cms">Pakistan warns India 'to be ready for quick retaliation' amid LoC tensions and UNSC membership</a>

'Around 300 terrorists waiting to infiltrate into India' says Major General Virendra Vats

<keyword id="3658" type="COUNTRY" weightage="100" keywordseo="India">India</keyword> would have to wait longer now for securing a permanent seat in an expanded <keyword id="55859" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="UN-Security-Council">UN Security Council</keyword> as the US along with Russia and China has opposed reformation of the powerful UN body, refusing to contribute to a text that will form the basis for the long-drawn reform process. <keyword id="107187" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="UN-General-Assembly">UN General Assembly</keyword> President <keyword id="13318" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sam-Kutesa">Sam Kutesa</keyword> contributed a text to UN members that will form the basis for the negotiations on the reform of the Security Council. Kutesa had appointed Jamaica's Permanent Representative <keyword id="2997880" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Courtenay-Rattray">Courtenay Rattray</keyword> to chair on his behalf the Intergovernmental Negotiations on Security Council Reform. 

	Kutesa, in a letter dated July 31 to all UN members, said he is also circulating letters containing the positions of groups and Member States that indicated they did not wish their proposals to be included in the body of the negotiating text. These countries include US, Russia and China.
 American Ambassador to the UN <keyword id="1697895" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Samantha-Power">Samantha Power</keyword> said in her letter to Kutesa that the US is "open in principle" to a "modest" expansion of both permanent and non-permanent members but the condition that "any consideration of an expansion of permanent members must take into account the ability and willingness of countries to contribute to the maintenance of international peace and security and to the other purposes of the United Nations." 

	Power added that "we believe that consideration of new permanent members must be country-specific in nature."
 

	She also reiterated that the US remains opposed to "any alteration or expansion of the veto".
 Sources told PTI that the US opposition to aspects of the reform process can be perceived as”duplicity" since President <keyword id="15962" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Barack-Obama">Barack Obama</keyword> has reaffirmed his support for a reformed UN Security Council with India as a permanent member. 

	Russia, which has also supported India's candidacy as permanent member, said in its letter to Kutesa that the "prerogatives of the current Permanent Members of the Security Council, including the use of the veto, should remain intact under any variant of the Council reform".
 

	"The intergovernmental negotiations on the UN Security Council reform should proceed in a calm, transparent and inclusive atmosphere free from artificial deadlines," it said.
 

	India has maintained that the process to expand the powerful UN body "cannot be seen to be an exercise ad infinitum" and a results-based timeline is crucial to achieve a concrete outcome.
 

	"Those who ask for not imposing artificial timelines may be advised to desist from inflicting artificial delays on this process," India's Ambassador to the UN Asoke Kumar Mukerji had said in the past.
 

	Sources said that India feels that the 70th anniversary of the UN, being commemorated this year, is an appropriate milestone to propel the reform process, which should be completed within the next one year.
 

	Russia said that in the situation when positions of the main groups of states - those who support the idea of the UN Security Council's expansion in both categories and those who do not - remain polar, one can advance in the negotiating process only by searching for a compromise.
 

	It said that while it supports broader representation of the developing countries from Africa, Asia and Latin America on a reformed Security Council, it is important to maintain compact composition of the Council in order for it to provide an adequate and prompt reaction to new challenges.
 

	"The number of members in an enlarged UNSC should not exceed a reasonable level of low twenties," it added.
 

	On improvement of the working methods of the Security Council, Russia said the leading role in this process should belong to the Security Council itself as the "only legitimate master of its own procedures and working methods."
 

	China said UNSC reform is "multifaceted", covering not only issues such as enlarging the Council's membership and strengthening representation, but also increasing efficiency and improving working methods. It added that Member States are still seriously divided on the Security Council reform and no general agreement has been reached on any solution so far.
 

	UNSC "reform should not be carried out at the expense of the unity of Member States. All member States should remain committed to the intergovernmental negotiations process, adopt a flexible and pragmatic attitude, gradually build mutual trust and meet each other halfway.
 

	No solution on which Member States are seriously divided or approach that may cause division among Member States will have China's Support," it said.
 

	"Member states still need to engage in patient consultations to find a solution that accommodates each other's interests and concerns," it said, a position different from that of India which has stressed that the 2015 "is a year for decisive action" and for it, another round of the IGN with business like the earlier rounds would "not be acceptable."
 

	India has said it would then find it very difficult to meaningfully engage with the process.
 

	China also stressed that new seats of the Security Council should be reasonably distributed. It also noted that any solution or reform model should enjoy general consensus.
 

	"The five clusters of key issues concerning Security Council reform are interrelated, and should not be addressed in isolation of each other. It is imperative to stick to the approach of a package solution. The 'piecemeal' or 'step-by-step' approach is not conducive to accommodating the interests and concerns of Member States," China said.
 

	India has received support from France and the UK, the two remaining permanent members of Security Council. The two nations along with Kazakhstan and Romania have specifically named in the negotiating text Brazil, Germany, India, Japan and an African representation to be included among the permanent members of a reformed UNSC.

	 
	 
	(Image credits: Indiatimes)

India’s wait to secure a permanent seat in UN Security Council becomes longer

<ul><li>Chinese President Xi Jinping is in India for the second informal meeting with PM Modi. </li><li>The first informal meeting held at Wuhan in China did result in slight normalisation of relations--- which soured after the 2017 Doklam standoff. </li><li>This meeting is expected to thaw the frosty relations between the two neighbours over several issues, including Kashmir, UNSC permanent membership and Chinese company Huawei. </li></ul> Chinese Premier Xi Jinping landed in Chennai <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/pm-modi-arrives-in-chennai-to-attend-2nd-indo-china-informal-summit/articleshow/71535568.cms">a little after 2 pm today </a>to participate in the second informal meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Mamallapuram in Tamil Nadu. The <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/xi-jinping-india-china-informal-summit-border-terror-on-agenda-at-pm-modi-xi-meet-today-2115002">first informal meeting held at Wuhan in China did result in slight normalisation </a>of relations — which soured after the 2017 Doklam standoff. This meeting is expected to thaw the frosty relations between the two neighbours over several issues, including Kashmir. China’s stance on Kashmir The Indian foreign ministry <a href="https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3032384/steer-clear-india-pakistan-dispute-over-kashmir-new-delhi">refused to discuss the Kashmir issue</a> on October 10. This was a day after <a href="https://www.news18.com/news/world/pakistan-pm-imran-khan-arrives-in-china-to-meet-president-xi-jinping-2337721.html">Xi met Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan</a> in Beijing on Wednesday. After that, <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/kashmir-in-focus-as-imran-khan-xi-jinping-meet-beijing-cites-un-charter-2114351">a joint statement was released </a>by China and <keyword id="3001" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Pakistan">Pakistan</keyword><a href="https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/pakistan-imran-khan-china-ties-trade-cpec-jcc-kashmir-hong-kong-1608115-2019-10-10"> stating</a> that Jammu and Kashmir should be "properly and peacefully <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/xi-jinping-india-china-informal-summit-border-terror-on-agenda-at-pm-modi-xi-meet-today-2115002">resolved</a> based on the UN Charter, relevant UN Security Council resolutions and bilateral agreements." In response, India asked them to off the issue <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/indias-counter-to-xi-jinpings-kashmir-remark-its-an-internal-matter-2114288">saying</a>, "India's position has been consistent and clear that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India. China is well aware of our position. It is not for other countries to comment on the internal affairs of India." China also criticised India’s <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/xi-jinping-india-china-informal-summit-border-terror-on-agenda-at-pm-modi-xi-meet-today-2115002">decision to scrap</a> special status to Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcate it into two union territories, at the UN General Assembly last month in New York. India’s decision on allowing Chinese company Huawei in its 5G rollout India <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/telecom/telecom-news/5g-spectrum-auction-by-year-end-or-early-2020-ravi-shankar-prasad/articleshow/71117477.cms">plans to auction 5G airwaves</a> this year but it remains undecided on<a href="https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/hopeful-india-will-make-independent-decision-on-5g-huawei-2114887"> whether or not to allow Chinese company Huawei </a>to compete. As China and the US are in the throes of a trade war, the latter has been arm twisting countries into<a href="https://www.vox.com/technology/2018/12/11/18134440/huawei-executive-order-entity-list-china-trump"> banning Huawei</a> from 5G roll-outs because of allegations of spying. And, there is a huge divide — <a href="https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/huawei-says-banning-company-will-delay-india-s-5g-rollout-by-2-3-years-1567500859756.html">Australia and Japan have barred</a> Huawei while Russia, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia refused to. Both these countries seek an ally in India, as it holds a big bargaining chip. It is the <a href="https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/huawei-says-banning-company-will-delay-india-s-5g-rollout-by-2-3-years-1567500859756.html">world’s second largest mobile services market. </a> For both US and China, India’s decision on the matter is key, and it has not spilled the beans on this topic. China’s stance on India’s inclusion in the UN Security Council Even after warm affirmations from the UK, France and Russia over India’s candidature for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council,<a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/indias-campaign-for-permanent-seat-at-unsc-slowing-down/article29161642.ece"> China’s stance remains lukewarm. </a>India<a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/unsc-non-permanent-seat-indias-candidature-endorsed-by-55-countries-including-pakistan/article28142769.ece"> has been elected as a non-permanent member in the UNSC</a> a record seven times, and has been seeking a permanent seat, along with Germany, Japan and Brazil. It also does not help that China <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/after-chinas-masood-azhar-block-unsc-vote-under-consideration/articleshow/68418293.cms?from=mdr">blocked</a> the proposal to designate Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) chief Masood Azhar a global terrorist for almost 10 years back, before finally lifting the hold earlier this year. Azhar was <a href="https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/masood-azhar-hafiz-saeed-dawood-declared-terrorists-under-new-uapa-law-1595463-2019-09-04">involved in planning several terrorist attacks</a> against India, including the 2019 Pulwama attacks. China presiding over FATF and protecting Pakistan China was one of the countries which was<a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/china-turkey-malaysia-bail-out-pakistan-at-fatf-meet/articleshow/69899220.cms?from=mdr"> protecting Pakistan</a> from being blacklisted by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). Malaysia and Turkey were the other countries which had come to its aid. China <a href="https://www.fatf-gafi.org/about/fatfpresidency/">presides over the international anti-money laundering body</a> which assesses a country’s efforts to combat terrorist funding. Pakistan <a href="https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/masood-azhar-hafiz-saeed-dawood-declared-terrorists-under-new-uapa-law-1595463-2019-09-04">was finally placed on the FATF</a> blacklist in August this year. China seeing the Quad as a threat The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (or simply, the Quad), comprising India, Japan, the US and Australia is a strategic partnership to counter the spread of China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific region. Beijing was <a href="https://www.news18.com/news/india/five-reasons-why-china-is-worried-about-the-quad-coalition-1575397.html">expectedly unhappy and has been protesting </a>within diplomatic circles, especially after they carried out joint military exercises. China also <a href="https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/2167457/japan-and-vietnam-join-hands-over-disputed-south-china-sea">has a long-standing feud with Japan</a> over islands in the South China Sea, besides the border issue in India’s northeast. Despite Australia’s reservations on upsetting China, their growing proximity with New Delhi signals that China should <a href="https://www.livemint.com/Opinion/vzKYXmhiLn1HVL6nDf4r4K/India-and-the-Quad-countries.html">beware of this small but steadily brewing partnership.</a> If even one of these many long pending issues are sorted,<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/international/news/list-of-monuments-chinese-president-xi-jingping-is-going-to-visit-in-india/articleshow/71521441.cms"> the meeting between the two leaders could be as historic as the city they are meeting at.</a> See also: 
 <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="71498284" title="Indian medical students will now have to learn Mandarin to study in China" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>

Xi Jinping arrives in India — here's a look at 5 contentious issues between India and China

<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div></div></div>It's not exactly a golden age for Turkish foreign policy. 
ISIS <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/syrias-ominous-impact-on-turkey-2014-10">is on Turkey's southern border</a>. Ankara's having trouble <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/kurds-protesting-as-kobane-about-to-fall-2014-10">handling its always fractious relationship with the Kurds</a>. President Reccip Tayyip Erdogan can't seem to go a week without <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/kerry-wants-everyone-to-think-us-and-turkey-are-on-the-same-page-2014-10">lashing out at his ostensible allies</a>.
And today, Turkey <a href="http://www.newsweek.com/venezuela-malaysia-angola-new-zealand-win-un-council-seats-277962">failed in its bid</a> for a two-year term on the UN Security Council, losing out to Spain and New Zealand in a vote before the UN General Assembly over two open seats. 
The result comes as a surprise, since Spain is one of Europe's perennial economic trouble spots, and New Zealand is a geographically isolated island nation of 4.5 million people. 
Turkey, on the other hand, fancies itself a rising superpower, a NATO member boasting <a href="http://databank.worldbank.org/data/download/GDP.pdf">the world's 17th-largest economy</a> along with a sizable and advanced military. Its leaders have even <a href="http://www.todayszaman.com/news-327447-turkey-to-host-summit-to-discuss-un-security-council-reform.html">tried to take a leading role</a> in reforming the Security Council in a way that would reflect the ascendancy of emerging powers like Turkey.
Newsweek's Benny Avni was correct in calling today's vote "<a href="http://www.newsweek.com/venezuela-malaysia-angola-new-zealand-win-un-council-seats-277962">a tremendous upset</a>." Avni noted that Turkey's foreign minister had hosted a party for diplomats at Manhattan's Waldorf-Astoria the night before the vote, "where many of the guests predicted an easy victory for Turkey." 
But Turkey was apparently complacent and didn't realize how dead set its two biggest rivals in the Middle East were against letting Ankara hold one of 15 UNSC votes. Per Avni, the two countries most suspicious of the Muslim Brotherhood wanted Erdogan to pay a tangible diplomatic cost for his support for the group:
In the past few days, according to several diplomatic sources, there was an intense campaign, led by Egypt and Saudi Arabia, against Turkey's membership in the council. The two countries are angered by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's support for the Muslim Brotherhood, which both are fighting at home.
Another possible explanation is Turkey's disastrously muddled handling of its border with Syria. Turkey has lined tanks along the border near the besieged city of Kobane, but steadfastly declined to come to the city's aid as ISIS closed in - at the same time its officials were slamming the allied bombing missions against Islamic State fighters as a "<a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/turkey/11168354/US-led-air-strikes-on-Kobane-are-PR-campaign-Turkey-claims.html">PR campaign</a>." Turkey has taken a harder line against Syrian President Bashar Assad than just about any other NATO country, something that's led to the government <a href="http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/11/turkey-backs-off-support-syria-rebels-border.html">turning a systemic blind eye</a> toward jihadist recruiting within its own borders.
The vote not only denies Turkey one of the most prestigious and powerful positions in the entire <keyword id="6356001" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="international">international</keyword> system: It's also a sign of how frustrated much of the world is with Ankara's trajectory - and how ineffective Iraq and Syria's northern neighbor now is at stating its case.

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