"China supports India's willingness to play bigger role at UN": FM spokesman

Beijing, Nov 10 (ANI): China has declared its support for rational and necessary reform of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) as well as India's willingness to play a bigger role at the UN.

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hong Lei said at a press conference that China is willing to maintain contacts and negotiate with other UN member states, including India, on the UN and UNSC reform, The News reported.

China values the role India plays in international affairs, and it also understands and supports India's willingness to play a bigger role at the UN, he added.

Hong also said that his country maintains that increasing the representativeness of developing countries at the UNSC should be prioritised.

China hopes that all parties could act democratically and negotiate patiently to reach a consensus on the UNSC reform-related issues, said the spokesman, stressing that negotiations should serve the goal of narrowing differences, maintaining solidarity and bringing mutual benefits.

Responding to a question about a new nuclear energy pact between India and the United States, the spokesman said that China hopes international cooperation would favour regional peace, stability and development, and that it should also help maintain the integrity and effectiveness of the international non-proliferation system.

China holds that all countries have rights to peacefully use nuclear power under the precondition of fulfilling nuclear non-proliferation obligations, Hong added.

Earlier on Monday, India and the United States had inked a pact to set up a Global Center for Nuclear Energy Partnership in Haryana to promote research and development, and strengthen global nuclear security. (ANI)