Pallone and Bera Introduce Resolution Supporting India's Bid for Permanent U.N. Security Council Seat

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), the co-founder of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, and Congressman Ami Bera (CA-07) the only Indian-American in Congress, and current co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, introduced HRes.786, expressing the sense of Congress that India should have a permanent seat on the United Nation's Security Council. The resolution would put the U.S. House of Representatives officially on record in support of India's bid.

Last week, Pallone and Bera applauded Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to strengthen ties between the United States and India during a speech before a joint session of Congress. They both served on the escort committee that led Modi into the House chamber for the speech.

“I was honored to meet with Prime Minister Modi during his visit and I am more committed than ever to the bond between our two nations share and the positive impact that India would have on the U.N. Security Council,” said Pallone. “At a time when international relations are being redefined, we should acknowledge and empower those nations that share our enduring core values. It's in the interests of the United States and the world to have a U.N. Security Council whose members combine military strength with respect for democracy and pluralism, and an appreciation of the dangers posed by rouge states and terrorist groups."

“As the world’s oldest democracy and the world’s largest democracy, the United States and India share common values and a growing partnership on many fronts, especially on defense cooperation,” said Bera. “India plays a critical role as a strategic partner to the United States, and as a pillar of stability in South Asia. Securing a permanent spot for India on the UN Security Council would be beneficial for India and the United States, and would strengthen democracy around the world.”

The U.N. Security Council still reflects the world as it was in 1945 when the United Nations was created. Despite the fact that the U.N. has grown from 51 member nations at its inception to nearly 200, the Security Council has not grown to reflect these dramatic changes. There are currently five permanent members of the council, including the United States, United Kingdom, Russia, China, and France.