World's largest democracy should be part of UNSC: India

SINGAPORE: India on Friday pressed for a seat in the revamped UN Security Council, saying the world's largest democracy cannot be kept out of the most important organ of the international body.

"There has been no change. That is not reflective of what the global realities are. The composition must mirror the present reality," Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma told a press conference, noting that only China was given the seat in 1971.

Addressing the Lee Kuan Yew Public Policy School on his second day of official visit to Singapore, Sharma highlighted the economic strength of emerging economies, and particularly singled out India's position as it is important to take into consideration the 24 African countries that have gained independence after the council was formed in 1945.

"But the largest democracy in this planet (should) not be out (of UNSC). If we are not there, how can we call it democratic and representative," Sharma stressed.

Malaysia, Singapore and the European Union supports India's place on the UNSC, he pointed out.

"You cannot allow today decisions to be taken about us without us. It is just not acceptable situation. Not in the interest or health of the multilateral system," he said.

He underlined India and the Asian/African right to the composition of UNSC, saying "The shift is taking place, economically 60 per cent of global growth is coming from Asia.

In term of Gross Domestic Product capacity, Asian GDP growth would be equal to EU and US by 2013, he said.