Panama City (Panama), May 29 (HBTV): Panama's Foreign Minister Javier Martinez Acha on Thursday backed India for a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council.
Addressing the all-party delegation led by Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Wednesday (local time), Acha highlighted the steady bilateral ties between India and Panama.
‘It is not the first time that I say this, but probably it is the first time that you hear this. I have said publicly that India deserves to be in the Security Council of the United Nations,’ Acha said.
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) comprises 15 members, including five permanent members — China, France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, and the United States — while the 10 non-permanent members are elected for two-year terms by the UN General Assembly.
In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha in November last year, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated that the government accords the highest priority to securing permanent membership in an expanded United Nations Security Council. He added that India remains actively engaged at both bilateral and multilateral levels, including in the ongoing Inter-Governmental Negotiations on UNSC reforms.
India continues to work with other reform-oriented countries through its membership in the G-4 group — comprising India, Japan, Brazil, and Germany — and the cross-regional L.69 Group of developing nations from Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Jaishankar also noted consistent engagement with countries from the Global South on this issue.
Several nations, including most of the P5 countries, have expressed support for India’s candidature as a permanent member of a reformed Security Council.
Panama’s foreign minister, in his remarks to the visiting delegation, stated that India-Panama relations are rooted in mutual respect and a shared vision of peace and prosperity.
‘The relationship between Panama and India is rooted in mutual respect, shared democratic values and a common vision for prosperity, peace and inclusive growth. Over the years, we have witnessed a steady strengthening of bilateral ties across multiple sectors — trade and investment, maritime collaboration, education, health and renewable energy,’ he said.
Acha warmly welcomed the Indian delegation and highlighted the long-standing friendship between the two nations.
‘It is a great honour and sincere pleasure that I welcome Your Excellency to Panama. The government of my country, and our president, give you the most warming welcome. The Indian delegation here today is a powerful symbol of the enduring and dynamic friendship between Panama and India. And it marks a new chapter in our shared journey for cooperation, development and mutual understanding,’ he said.
He further noted Panama’s commitment to its strategic global role.
‘Panama, as the bridge of the world and the heart of the universe, has always embraced its strategic role in global commerce, diplomacy and cultural dialogue. Likewise, India, with its rich heritage, vibrant democracy — the biggest one in the world — and growing global influence, has been a long-standing and valued partner in our development and multilateral engagements,’ Acha added.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Tharoor-led delegation met with the President of the Republic of Panama, Jose Raul Mulino, at the Presidential House.
The Indian delegation includes Shambhavi Chaudhary (Lok Janshakti Party), Sarfaraz Ahmed (Jharkhand Mukti Morcha), G. M. Harish Balayagi (Telugu Desam Party), Shashank Mani Tripathi, Tejaswi Surya, Bhubaneswar Kalita (all BJP), Mallikarjun Devda (Shiv Sena), former Indian Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu, and Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora.
(ANI)