United Nations: India scored a major victory when it was re-elected by the UN General Assembly to the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for a three-year term with an overwhelming majority.

In the Asian group, India got 174 out of 190 votes, relegating China, Thailand and Pakistan to second, third and distant fourth positions. Despite intensive campaigning, Islamabad could muster only 151 votes and Kazakhstan only 96 votes. China got 157 and Thailand 153.

In the election held yesterday (Oct 28, 2004), India got highest ever number of votes for being elected to ECOSOC which diplomats attribute to New Delhi's rising popularity among the Assembly members, especially among the members of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and Group of 77 developing nations (G-77).

The number of votes India got is also considered significant in view of possibility of expansion of the 15-member Security Council next year. India is a strong contender for permanent membership. Should the issue come to the Assembly for a decision, each contender for the membership would require two-thirds votes in the 191-member Assembly to be successful.

In the current session of the United Nations General Assembly, India has been strongly taking up the issues facing developing countries and has been in the forefront of forging unity among the NAM and G-77 members over various issues affecting them.

ECOSCO has 54 members, 18 of whom retire each year. Seats have been distributed on geographical basis with 14 allocated to Africa, 11 to Asia, six to East Europe, 10 Latin America and 13 to Western Europe and other states.