New Delhi:
President Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday said that India was "eminently suited" for permanent membership of the UN Security Council, having the capacity to shoulder the responsibilities of the post.
"India is eminently suited for permanent membership of the UN Security Council," said Mukherjee while addressing the 13th International Conference of Chief Justices from around the world at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
"India has affirmed its willingness and capacity to shoulder the responsibilities of permanent membership of the UN Security Council," he added.
Mukherjee said India fulfilled all the criteria such as population, territorial size, gross domestic product, economic potential, civilizational legacy, cultural diversity, political system and past and ongoing contributions to the activities of the UN - especially to UN peacekeeping operations.
"It is essential that the Security Council is expanded in both the permanent and non-permanent categories," he said.
"The inclusion of developing countries from Asia, Africa and Latin America, who are capable of global responsibility, will contribute to optimal decision making necessary to address the insecurity of developing countries," Mukherjee added.
Addressing the chief justices, the president said that it was important that states reaffirmed their adherence to the rule of law, with a commitment to abide in good faith to an international order based on respect for international law.
"Jurists have an important role to play in persuading states to abide by the rule of law and building support amongst the public for the same," he said.