Tuesday, July 5 2005 19:34 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Astana (Kazakhstan): Russia, China and four Central Asian countries today (July 5, 2005) opposed fixing any deadline for UN reforms or imposing a vote on draft proposals, including on expansion of the Security Council mooted by India and other G-4 countries, saying, "Major differences" still existed.

The Heads of State of the six-nation Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) at their meeting here also vowed to redouble their efforts to combat and prevent terrorist attacks and opposed any outside interference in their affairs, an implicit swipe at the US' growing influence in Central Asia, historically seen as Russia's stronghold.

India along with Pakistan and Iran was admitted as observer in the security grouping comprising China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgystan and Tajikistan. External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh also attended the meeting.

In a seven-page declaration at the end of their summit, the SCO leaders said they supported "necessary efficient reforms" of the UN aimed at improving the organisation's efficiency and prestige.

"It was confirmed that in implementing the reforms, it is essential to follow the broadest possible agreement, rather than try to set a deadline for the UN reform or to impose voting on the draft proposals on which major differences still exist," the declaration said.

The G-4 comprising India, Germany, Japan and Brazil have in their resolution to be placed in the UN General Assembly pressed for expansion of the Security Council from 15 to 25 members with six additional permanent members of which two should belong to Africa.