US President Joe Biden’s Assurances To India

US President Joe Biden’s assurances, India’s permanent seat in UNSC, and support for NSG.

US President Joe Biden has reiterated America’s support for India’s permanent membership in the UN Security Council and India’s entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).

He said this during his first bilateral direct meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House.

A joint statement was issued on Friday after the meeting of the two leaders at the White House. 

President Biden, during his meeting with Prime Minister Modi, appreciated strong leadership during India’s presidency of the Security Council in August 2021.

It said that in this context, President Biden reiterated India’s permanent membership of the reformed UN Security Council.

The US supports other countries that play an important role in multilateral cooperation and aspire for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, it said. 

During his meeting with Prime Minister Modi, President Biden also reiterated America’s support for India’s entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), the joint statement said.

The NSG is a 48-member group that regulates global nuclear commerce. However, China always keeps stalling regarding the entry of India.

Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said on Saturday that the expansion of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and getting a permanent seat in it is India’s top priority.

He also said that the emphasis will be on inter-governmental processes and document-based dialogue under UN General Assembly President Abdullah Shahid.

Shringla told reporters after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address at the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

India would continue to work towards expanding the United Nations during its tenure as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.

He said a permanent seat in the UNSC and expansion in the Security Council remains India’s top priority.

The Foreign Secretary said that India’s candidature (for a permanent seat of the UNSC) has been supported by many countries that share India’s sentiments.