Thaindian News

New Delhi, Nov 21 (IANS) Ahead of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao’s visit here next month, India has hoped for “movement and change” in Beijing’s position over New Delhi’s claim for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council.

“I believe there is room for movement and change. I am not saying it is going to happen immediately. It is going to be a process and that process is tied to the evolution of our dialogue and discussions with China,” Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao told Karan Thapar in an interview on CNBC TV 18’s India Tonight programme that will be broadcast Monday.

She was responding to a question on whether there was an evolution in China’ stand over India’s claim for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council.

During Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to Beijing in 2008, China had said that it understood India’s aspirations to play a larger role in global affairs including in an expanded Security Council.

“That is where the matter stands. Obviously, China and India need to discuss this further,” Rao said.

“One of the signal developments I would say in recent months and weeks has been China’s readiness to discuss, to have consultations with India on UN related matters including on the expansion of the Security Council,” she said.

Rao was alluding to assurances given by Chinese leaders during her visit to Beijing last week indicating their willingness to discuss the complex process of UN Security Council reforms.