File photo of President Pranab Mukherjee.
India's potential to be a permanent member of the UN Security Council "now has a stronger resonance", President Pranab Mukherjee said today as he referred to the enhanced engagement with foreign countries reflected by the hosting of India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS).
He said that participation of all the 54 African countries in the IAFS held in Delhi last month marks India's entry into the club of a select group of nations having the capacity and ability to engage all of Africa simultaneously.
India is also playing an enhanced role in diverse fora by working with like-minded nations in the UN and other multilateral organisations, he said.
"India has intensified engagement with the neighbours and friendly countries across the globe," President Mukherjee said while inaugurating the 35th India International Trade Fair 2015 at Pragati Maidan in Delhi.
Referring to the recent "successful" hosting of the 3rd India-Africa Forum Summit by India, he said the participation of all 54 African countries in it, "in foreign policy terms moved the country into a select group of nations having the capacity and ability to engage all of Africa simultaneously."
The President added that, "India is also working with like-minded countries in multilateral organisations, including United Nations, to play an enhanced role in diverse fora, from the Arctic Council and the Pacific Alliance to the UN Security Council, where India has made a legitimate claim for permanent membership. The potential of India now has a stronger resonance."
For long, India has been pitching for its inclusion in the expanded UN Security Council as a permanent member so that it can be part of the decision-making processes of the powerful world body with regard to global affairs.