China to support bid for Security Council seat

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Our assessment is that the Chinese leadership was not guarded or diplomatic in supporting India's UN aspiration : NIRUPAMA RAO

BEIJING: Chinese President Hu Jintao on Thursday declared Beijing's support for India's can- didacy for a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council for 2011-12.
This is expected to lead to China backing India's bid for a permanent seat in the council.

Seen as a breakthrough in India-China relations, Beijing's support for “India's aspiration for a greater, substantial role in the UN“ followed a meeting between President Pratibha Patil and Jintao at the Great Hall of the People here.

“Our President specifically raised the (SC) point. China said it understands and sup- ports India's aspiration for greater role in the UN, partic- ularly the SC. And it has sought India's cooperation for reform- ing and expanding the SC,“ Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao said.

Expansion of SC means room for India as a permanent member, something New Delhi has been pursuing for years.
The shot at the non-permanent seat for 2011-12 has given New Delhi a reason to up the ante.

“Our assessment is that the Chinese leadership was not guarded or diplomatic in sup- porting India's UN aspiration.
They said they were listening very carefully to what we say, and that there was a legitima- cy in our bid,“ Rao said.

She said Beijing's tone car- ried the cooperation India and China initiated at the Climate Change conference in Copen- hagen and later at the BRIC (Brazil Russia India China cau- cus). “The undertone is to carry the cooperation to the next con- clave in Cancun (Mexico).“

Patil and Jintao “reiterated that the relationship between India and China was a diplomatic priority for both countries“.

Patil did touch up the bound- ary issue that needles the two countries off and on.

Jintao agreed both countries needed to maintain peace and tranquility along the border pending settlement of the issues.

The meeting also focused on expanding bilateral trade. Their meeting culminated in the sign- ing of an agreement and two MoUs. The agreement was on visa-free access to airlines staff of both countries. The MoUs were on cooperation in public administration and sports including anti-doping.
 
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