Pallone Introduces Bill Supporting India's Bid for Permanent U.N. Security Council Seat

Washington, D.C. --- U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), founder of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, today introduced legislation supporting India's bid for a permanent seat on the United Nation's Security Council. Pallone's legislation, a "Sense of Congress," would put the U.S. House of Representatives officially on record in support of India's bid.

"At a time when international relations are being redefined, we should acknowledge those with those nations that share our enduring core values," Pallone said. "Any reform of the Security Council must lead to permanent membership for India. It is in our national interest and, indeed, our responsibility to ensure that this happens."

Pallone expressed concern that the Security Council still reflects the world as it was in 1942 when the United Nations was created. Despite the fact that the U.S. has grown from 51 member nations at its inception to now more than 200, the Security Council has not grown to reflect these dramatic changes.

"The Security Council's unwillingness to expand and evolve with the times has hindered the Council's ability to tackle threats to international peace and security," Pallone said. "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 elites.

"India, which has long been a victim of terrorism, was the first to offer its services in the United States' war on terrorism in Afghanistan and was also one of the first to embrace the U.S. ballistic missile defense program," Pallone continued. "Furthermore, India is a growing economic power that has become an indispensable trading partner with the U.S."

There are currently five permanent members of the council, including the United States, United Kingdom, Russia, China, and France. India's bid has received public support from two of the permanent members, Russia and France.