India seeks UAE support for Security Council seat

Tharoor also stresses on adequate representation for Africa and Latin America

October 07, 2009 12:53 am | Updated 12:53 am IST - DUBAI

Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor, who is on the second leg of his visit to the Gulf countries, has advocated deeper political and economic ties with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and has sought Abu Dhabi’s support for India as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

Mr. Tharoor, who had concluded a two-day visit of Bahrain, said here at a meeting organised by the Indian Business and Professional Council that with its entry into the G20, India had become part of the apex forum that steered the global economy.

Mr. Tharoor pointed out that India should also be included in an expanded Security Council, the group that sets the global political agenda.

However, Mr. Tharoor stressed that the expansion of the Security Council, which was still a long way ahead, would not only have to include India but also adequately represent Africa and Latin America, apart from having Japan and Germany as new members.

‘Natural destination’

India, which was on a high growth path despite the current global recession, was a natural destination for the UAE to put in its investible surplus.

India required billions of dollars of foreign capital to develop its “hardware” for growth, which included power, ports, airports, roads and even railways, he said.

To a question, Mr. Tharoor said India’s ranking in the Human Development Index would improve only after success was achieved in developing the “software” for growth, which included advances especially in education and health.

In Bahrain, Mr. Tharoor discussed ways to counter terrorism with interlocutors. He also announced the early formation of an Indo-Bahraini Business Council.

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