Putin backs veto power for India

Putin backs veto power for India

Saturday, December 4, 2004 (New Delhi):

Russian President Vladimir Putin has denied reports that his country is opposed to India being granted veto powers if admitted to an expanded United Nations Security Council.

On Friday, a statement made by the visiting President was misunderstood perhaps in the translation to English.

But Putin clarified the Russian position today, saying his country was in favour of India becoming a permanent member of the UN Security Council, with a full right to veto the decisions taken by other members.

Important right

The right to veto is a fundamental right that the five present members of the Security Council hold.

Each of these major nuclear nations, (the US, Russia, China, France and Britain) can veto any resolution proposed by another Security Council member, thereby ensuring that it cannot be passed.

The right to veto was used extensively during the Cold War, when the US and the USSR frequently struck down each other's resolutions in the Council.

India maintains that denial of the right in any expanded UN Security Council would result in a two tier-system, which should be avoided.

Meanwhile, the Russian President will visit Bangalore today to lay emphasis on information technology as one of his focus areas during his India tour.

Putin will also inaugurate the premises of the Brahmos joint venture.

On Friday, India and Russia had signed ten agreements in various fields of civilian and nuclear energy and outer space.

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(With PTI inputs)