Obstacles in becoming permanent member of UN Security Council: SM Krishna

Pressing for a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), India today said there were "obstacles" and "road-blocks" in this and asked the five permanent members to "revise" their concepts on basic reforms of the world body to reflect current global realities.

Three days after India was elected as a non-permanent member of the Security Council, external affairs minister SM Krishna said it marks the "finest hour" for the country and provides a "foothold" in the world body.

He pitched for reorganisation of the Security Council, saying the world has undergone major changes since the world body was founded in 1945 and there are "credible nations" around who should be in it.

"There are obstacles and roadblocks. These cannot be wished away. So we have to keep pursuing relentlessly," the minister said.

He said the victory at the UN when India got 187 of 190 votes reflects recognition of India's standing in the global arena.

Krishna said the permanent members of the Security Council -- the US, Russia, China, Britain and France -- "will have to revisit their concept on bringing about basic reforms (in the UNSC) we want".

The silver lining, he said, is that text-based negotiations on UN reforms have begun and there is hope that these will yield some dividends.

On India's entry into Security Council as a non-permanent member, he said the country will have "awesome responsibilities" and it will have to live up to expectations.