India dares opponents of UNSC expansion for a straw poll

United Nations, Sept 3 (PTI) Hitting hard at the
countries who have been blocking the expansion of UN Security
Council in both the permanent and non-permanent categories,
India Thursday dared such nations to schedule a straw poll in
the UN General Assembly to prove that they have the numbers.

"If there is genuine doubt about the basic premise that
most delegations support expansion in both categories, then,
my knowledge of mathematics tells me that we should test the
hypothesis scientifically," Indian's permanent envoy to the
United Nations Hardeep Singh Puri said.

"So, let me ask, why do they not want us to schedule a
straw poll to ask who really objects to an expansion in both
categories? I suspect the results would clearly demonstrate
that this is a small minority. Perhaps this is already evident
to them, hence their desire to avoid further highlighting
their isolation," Puri said as the General Assembly resumed
closed-door talks on reforming the 15-nation body.

India along with Brazil, Japan and Germany – known as
G-4 – have proposed expansion in both permanent (six) and
non-permanent (four) category of membership of the Security
Council so as to give the most powerful wing of the UN a more
contemporary and realistic look – reflecting the realities of
the 21st century and not a globe of post-World War II.

A small group of countries lead by Pakistan, Italy and
Argentine have been opposing to this proposal; as a result of
which the reform of the Security Council has not been able to
make any head way. (MORE) PTI LKJ
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