China vaguely backs India's UNSC bid

China on Thursday joined Russia in vaguely backing India’s quest for a permanent Security Council seat but there was no promise that Beijing would vote for New Delhi’s inclusion. The joint statement issued after the summit of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) at Sanya also spoke of a growing desire among developing nations, including India, to play a bigger role in the UN. But the Foreign ministry was not yet prepared to say that the move could be regarded as a wholehearted endorsement of the 5-nation club. In a sense, India’s push for the permanent seat has been diluted by the inclusion of South Africa as one of the claimants being backed by BRICS. The joint statement of the BRIC summit last year backed India’s and Brazil’s case as South Africa was not a member then. “China and Russia reiterate the importance they attach to the status of India, Brazil and South Africa in international affairs, and understand and support their aspiration to play a greater role in the UN,” the joint statement said. The BRICS joint statement clubbed India with Brazil as two players deserving a greater role in the world body.