Wednesday, June 8 2005 19:52 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Beijing: China today (Jun 8, 2005) accused India and other G-4 countries, which are seeking permanent membership in an expanded UN Security Council, of dividing member states of the world body's top organ on the issue.

"On the reform of the UNSC, we understand the desire of the Indian side to play a bigger role in the UN. Of course, we believe that the reform of the UNSC is only one aspect in the reform of the UN, which includes many other aspects," Chinese assistant foreign ding India, when asked about China's stance on New Delhi's bid for the permanent membership of the UNSC.

Shen noted that their activities have already divided the member nations of the UNSC," he said.

"We hope the G-4 is fully aware of the seriousness of the issue. When the whole issue of UNSC reform is still very divisive, it is not appropriate for us to talk about who should be the permanent member and who should not be the permanent member," Shen said.

Though Shen noted that China and India have upgraded their relations to a strategic level during Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's visit to India in April, he avoided any mention of Beijing's reported backing of New Delhi's bid for a permanent UNSC seat during the trip.