New Delhi: India hasstaked claim for non- permanent membership of the UN Security Council (UNSC)even as it continues to intensify efforts to push its candidature for apermanent seat in the world body.

India has staked a claim forone of the 10 non- permanent seats for the two-year term during 2011-12 in the Asia quota. Earlier, India was a non-permanent member ofthe UNSC six times since 1950.

Significantly, India'spartners in G-4 -- Brazil, Germany and Japan -- have also bid fornon-permanent seats in the UNSC. The four countries, all aspirants forpermanent membership of the body, formed the grouping to unitedly push theircandidature.

Officials made it clear that staking claim for non- permanent membership didnot mean dilution of the aspiration for a permanent seat, for which Indiais a "strong and deserving" candidate with "crediblecredentials".

While bidding for the non-permanent seat, India is intensifying efforts toget permanent membership of the world body and hectic consultations in thisregard are underway with the other three members of G-4.

To ensure wider support, the G-4 is expected to come up with revised proposalslinked to its bid for permanent seats in the Security Council.

The move to modify the proposals is significant as these are being contemplatedin view of Japan'sdisinterest recently in G-4 participation.