China should support India in becoming UN Security Council Member

Bangalore, Mar 5 (UNI) Former Indian Ambassador to China A P Venkateswaran today urged China to reconsider its policy of opposing India becoming a member of the UN Security Council.

"China should re-think about its decision of opposing India becoming UN Security Council Member considering the fact that it was India which supported its (China) candidature earlier. The decision of China will affect future friendship between the two countries.

Hence China should reconsider its stand and come forward to extend supporting hand", he added.

Mr Venkateswaran was speaking on 'India-China Relations and Foreign Policy' organised by India-China Friendship Association, Bangalore to mark the India-China Friendship day celebration here.

Reiterating India's commitment not to use Nuclear weapon first, he said that US President George Bush's recent visit to India was criticised by China but the fact was that "India did not sign Nuclear Proliferation Treaty (NPT) nor it has gone back on its stand of utilising Nuclear only for peaceful purpose." Stating that both India and China have rich cultural, spiritual and moral heritage, Mr Venkateswaran said that " If both the countries come together, no other country in the world, however powerful it may be, can come in the way of maintaining peace and work towards overall development of both the countries and the world." "We should stand together, China should not get distracted and continue to extend its cooperation toward India", he added.

Mr Venkateswaran said that China is developing at faster rate because of its commitment for development.

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