China says it values India’s role in maintaining international security

China on Friday said that it values India’s position and role in maintaining international peace and security, after Beijing backed New Delhi’s candidature for a non-permanent seat at the powerful UN Security Council.

India’s candidature for a two-year term from 2021-22 was unanimously endorsed by the 55-member Asia-Pacific grouping, including China and Pakistan on Tuesday.

Syed Akbaruddin, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador tweeted on Tuesday saying that “A unanimous step. Asia-Pacific Group @UN unanimously endorses India’s candidature for a non-permanent seat on the Security Council for 2-year term in 2021/22. Thanks to all 55 members for their support.”

“We value India’s position and its role in international and regional affairs and look forward to India’s positive contribution to maintaining international peace and security,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang in a written response to PTI.

However, China is yet to pitch its support for India’s permanent membership at the UNSC. Being a veto-wielding member of the P5, China is the only country which is yet to lend its support to India.

India, Germany, Brazil and Japan formed a group called the G4 to press for their permanent membership of the UNSC as part of reforms of the United Nations.

Currently the 10 non-permanent members are Belgium, Côte d’Ivoire, Dominican Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Germany, Indonesia, Kuwait, Peru, Poland and South Africa.

Only a day ago had the Indian External Affairs Minister said that India and China have each appointed a Special Representative to explore the framework for a boundary settlement from the political perspective of the overall bilateral relationship.