Nayanima Basu New Delhi, August 31 Prime Minister Narendra Modi is reported to have discussed India’s continued efforts to become a permanent member of the UN Security Council (UNSC) with US Secretary of State John Kerry on Wednesday.
Modi also urged the US to support its membership bid at the Nuclear Suppliers’ Group (NSG).
Both sides also discussed the recent developments concerning the South China Sea dispute wherein China has refused to follow the verdict of the international court. Matters related to counter-terrorism were also discussed, officials sources told BusinessLine.
US Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker was also present in the meeting between Kerry and Modi.
“Secretary Kerry also shared US perspective on developments in the region and beyond with Prime Minister. PM conveyed satisfaction at the expanded and strengthened strategic partnership between India and US over the past two years that has opened new vistas of collaboration,” said a PMO statement.
Modi also told Kerry that he “looked forward” to holding a meeting with US President Barack Obama on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Hangzhou, China.
Earlier, in the day during an address to IIT Delhi, Kerry said that the process of India getting a permanent seat at the high table of UN Security Council is “complicated” and will take time.
“There is a way but it is complicated (India’s UNSC bid). We are working on it. We are in support of some of the reforms (in UN). But it’s going to take a while and one has to work through that,” he said.
Kerry is in India for the second round of US-India Strategic and Commercial Dialogue. During the talks, India had sought US’ assurance to support its membership at the UN Security Council. On the issue of tackling terrorism in the region, Kerry it is “clear” that Pakistan has a lot of work to do “in order to push harder against its indigenous groups that are engaged in terrorist activities.”
Kerry also hinted at some of the challenges in India’s relationship with the US.
“The regulatory process and the ability to move decisions is a challenge here. I hope that India finds a way to move faster and deal with the challenges with the decisions that have to be taken,” he said.
He also urged the Indian bureaucracy to become “streamlined and effective”. “It has to become a partner in making decisions, not an expert in setting up roadblocks,” he added.
According to Mark Toner, Deputy Spokesperson, US State Department, Kerry will stay back in India till the weekend after which he will leave for China for the G20 meet.