Friday, August 5 2005 16:33 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Voicing concern over reports that China and US have got together to oppose permanent membership of India and other G-4 countries in the expanded UN Security Council, several Rajya Sabha members today (Aug 5, 2005) said Parliament should send a strong signal to the international community that New Delhi is a 'serious candidate' for the August body.

Raising the matter during Zero Hour, former External Affairs Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) member Yashwant Sinha expressed concern over reports that China and the United States have 'got together' to oppose the move by G-4 countries comprising India, Brazil, Germany and Japan.

"This House should discuss the matter and it is not a question of this party or that party demanding a discussion on what is happening with regard to India's membership in the UN Security Council. A message should go from Parliament that India is a serious candidate (for membership)," he said.

Supporting him, senior Communist Party of India (CPI) Marxist (M) member Nilotpal Basu said the House could have a structured debate where everybody would get a chance to speak.

Trying to needle the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government, Janata Dal (JD) United (U) member and former Minister of State for External Affairs Digvijay Singh said that until one year ago (when NDA was in power) everyone was supporting India. "What has happened now," he asked.

Congress member Anand Sharma, who too favored a structured debate on the issue, immediately challenged Singh's remark.