India today said the "fight" for adequate representation in the decision-making mechanism of the United Nations would not end soon if those holding power in the world body do not allow this to happen.
"We must have our representation, our rights in the UN," Vice President Hamid Ansari told reporters accompanying him on his five-day visit to Nigeria and Mali, adding that the UN's structure has changed a lot since the days it was formed.
"If those in power in the UN do not allow this to happen, this fight will not end soon," he said.
According to the vice president, every country, particularly from Asia, Africa and South America, wants reform of the United Nations.
He said if a country is engaged in work of the UN, it should also get adequate representation in its decision-making mechanism.
"Troops from India, Nigeria and Bangladesh among other countries are usually engaged in UN Peacekeeping missions and not from the US or Russia," he said.
On his current visit, Ansari said it was part of the government's "very focused approach to all regions of Africa".
He said this visit as well as his previous tour of Morocco and Tunisia besides those of President Pranad Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the recent few months are emanating out of this approach.
"Geographically, there are 54 countries and so any decision globally whether it is UN or elsewhere, Africa is very important as India has long association with it starting from the days of de-colonisation," he said.
Terming Nigeria a country of importance internationally, he said India has old ties with it particularly in the field of defence.
An agreement on Bureau of Standards will be signed with Nigeria during Ansari's visit.
Asked if India was mulling any agreement on renewable energy with that country, he said an MoU is being considered but added, "don't forget Nigeria's focus is energy not renewable energy".
He said though Mali is a small country, it is quite important for India and "we have done a number of developmental projects there and has been a success story".
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content
