Lok Sabha Question No. 390 (STARRED), answered on 2017-03-29
Subject: NSG and UNSC Membership
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: ABHISHEK SINGH, POONAMBEN HEMATBHAI MAADAM

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.390 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.03.2017

## NSG AND UNSC MEMBERSHIP

† *390. SHRI ABHISHEK SINGH: SHRIMATI POONAMBEN MAADAM:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of efforts being made by the Government to make India's bid more  strong for membership  in the Nuclear Suppliers  Group  (NSG)  and  permanent  seat  in  the  United Nations Security Council (UNSC);
- (b) the number of countries which formally backed India's bid for NSG membership and permanent seat in UNSC;
- (c) the number of countries which did not support India's bid for NSG membership and permanent seat in UNSC along with the reasons cited by them; and
- (d) whether  forums  like  BRICS  have  supported  India  in  its  bid officially and if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER THE MINISTER FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRIMATI SUSHMA SWARAJ)

- (a) to (d) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF THE LOK  SABHA  STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  390  REGARDING  'NSG  AND UNSC MEMBERSHIP' FOR ANSWER ON 29.03.2017

## Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG)

India  is  engaged  with  the  Nuclear  Suppliers  Group  (NSG)  and  individual members thereof at the appropriate levels to seek membership of the Group.

The merits of India's candidature have been recognized by a majority of NSG members. India has received support from a diverse and large number of members, including  the  United  States,  France,  United  Kingdom,  the  Russian  Federation, Canada,  Australia,  Germany,  Belgium,  Republic  of  Korea,  Spain,  Netherlands, Sweden, Finland and Japan.

While no member of the Group has explicitly opposed  India's membership, certain procedural and process related issues have been raised by a few members.

The BRICS as a group has not issued any statement on India's membership of the NSG.

## United Nations Security Council

India  has  undertaken  a  series  of  initiatives  in  pursuance  of  permanent membership  in  an  expanded  Security  Council.  India  is  actively  engaged  in  the ongoing Intergovernmental Negotiations on UNSC reform at the UN and is working alongside other reform oriented countries through the G-4 (India, Japan, Brazil and Germany) and the L.69 groupings(a cross regional grouping of developing countries).

A large number of countries have supported India's initiatives for reform of the  UN  Security  Council,  as  well  as  endorsed  India's  candidature  for  permanent membership, including four out of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council who  have  also expressed official affirmations of support for India's candidature to a permanent seat in an expanded UN Security Council.

During  the  8th  BRICS  Summit,  in  October  2016,  held  at  Goa,  the  leaders reaffirmed  the  need  for  a  comprehensive  reform  of  the  UN,  including  its  Security Council, with a view to making it more representative, effective and efficient, and to increase  the  representation  of  the  developing  countries  so  that  it  can  adequately respond  to  global  challenges.  China  and  the  Russian  Federation  reiterated  the importance  they  attach  to  the  status  and  role  of  Brazil,  India  and  South  Africa  in international affairs and support their aspiration to play a greater role in the UN.

*****