India says there is no change in its position on UN reforms process

New Delhi: India said on Thursday there is no change in the government's position on the UN reforms process, a day after it and other G-4 nations contended they were willing not to exercise the veto as permanent members of a reformed Security Council until a decision on it is taken.[caption id="attachment_3136076" align="alignleft" width="380"]

Representational image. Reuters[/caption]A joint statement of G4, delivered by Indian Ambassador at the UN, New York, said, "...While the new permanent members would as a principle have the same responsibilities and obligations as (the) current permanent members, they shall not exercise the veto until a decision on the matter has been taken during a review."However, it was seen by media as an offer to forgo veto power initially as a bargaining chip to get the reform process moving.Clarifying the statement, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Gopal Baglay said it merely stresses that the matter of veto need not be made into something to protract urgently needed reforms of Security Council.The Spokesperson also emphasised that the G-4 (Brazil, Germany, India, and Japan) position has three main elements, including expansion in both permanent and non permanent category.He also said the discussions underway consider various aspects, including the matter of veto.