India fit candidate for permanent membership of UN Security Council: President Pratibha Patil

President Pratibha Patil today said India has all the credentials to be a permanent member in an expanded UN Security Council and pressed the need for urgent reforms in the world body.

Addressing envoys in New Delhi, the president called for building harmony in the world, and highlighted the role of trade, investment and greater people-to-people contacts in promoting greater understanding and linkages between countries and societies.

Patil told eight envoys, who presented their credentials at a Rashtrapati Bhavan function here, that they were beginning their tenure at a time when India would soon commence its two-year term as non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.

She stated that India looked forward to working with the international community to fulfil its obligations as a responsible member of the Security Council.

The envoys who presented their credentials were Oleksandr D. Shevchenko, the ambassador of Ukraine, Dembo Badjie, the high commissioner of Gambia, Khadija Radman Mohamed Gahnem, the ambassador of Yemen, Stewart Beck, the high commissioner of Canada, Ali Abd-al-Aziz al-Isawi, the Ambassador of  Libya, Samuel Kaveto Mbambo, the high commissioner of Namibia, Peep Jahilo, the ambassador of Estonia and Lucio Amati, the ambassador of San Marino.

The president referred to India's commitment to further strengthen its ties with these countries on the basis of "mutual respect and mutual benefit".