Tuesday, January 25 2005 10:58 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Indicating its support to New Delhi playing a more important role in international affairs, including in the UN, China yesterday (Jan 24, 2005) conveyed its "understanding" for India's candidature for a permanent seat in expanded Security Council as the two sides emphasised the need for reforms in the world body.

The two countries, during their first-ever "strategic dialogue" in New Delhi, agreed that the current international situation characterised by globalisation presented "an opportunity as well as a challenge".

The Indian side, led by Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran, and the Chinese delegation, headed by Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawai, underlined the need for making international relations democratic in order to face this challenge, an External Affairs Ministry spokesperson said.

Agreeging that the trend towards multi-polarity was conducive to international peace and should be encouraged, the two sides emphasised the need to reform international institutions, including the UN.

On reforms in the UN Security Council (UNSC), the Chinese side "conveyed their understanding for India's candidature for the permanent membership and indicated their support for India playing a more important role in international affairs, including in the UN," the spokesperson said.