Anand Sharma stresses on expansion of UN security council

Mumbai, May 8 (UNI) Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma today said the United Nations, as an organisation, must be democratic to reflect the changing global scenario and called for expansion of its Security Council with India playing a bigger role.

''We can not have cosmetic reforms,'' said the Minister, while talking to media after delivering his speech on ''Foreign policy - Implications for Indian business'', at a function organised by Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industries here.

''We hope to push forward change in its permanent members,'' he said, adding, ''though we are well aware that the five permanent members would be unwilling to give up the same.'' There should be balance in the UN as India, the largest democracy in the world, was left out of permanent membership. Also Africa, with 54 countries, has not got any membership.

''We are striving for this, but I cannot say when we will achieve the same,'' he said, while ruling out a suggestion of forming a parallel body to UN which, he said, would bring in 'instability'.

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