US supports Japan for UN Security council permanent membership

Kolkata, Aug 4 (UNI) Despite enjoying the best of bilateral relations with India, the US is supporting the candidature of Japan for the permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council.

''Though the US fully acknowledges the true potential of India not only as the largest democracy in the world but also as the emerging global economic power house, it has decided to vouch for Japan for becoming the sixth permanent member of the UN Security Council,'' said US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Richard Boucher here today.

Speaking at a special interactive session with members of Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Mr Boucher, the highest ranking US official to visit Eastern India this year, said it was heartening to note that barring China, India was experiencing the highest annual growth in GDP and was poised to cross the eight per cent mark this fiscal.

But for the US government, Japan was found to be the most suitable candidate for the post for various other reasons.

He, however, refused to elaborate on the rationale behind his government's decision to opt for Japan instead of India for the important position, but said since it was a policy decision he had nothing more to add on to the issue.

Mr Bouchel was in full praise of the growing economic activities of India and said it had got all the potential to become the world leader in every field. '' India is a rising global power and has become a natural ally of the US in diversified fields on its own strength, '' he said.

Mr Boucher also hailed the recently concluded Civil Nuclear Energy Cooperation between the two countries and was hoping for its smooth passage in the US Senate in line with that of the US Congress, and said it truly reflected the visible manifestation of strategic partnership between the two largest democracies in the world.

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