Botswana, Zimbabwe, Malawi back India on democratising UN: Naidu

Vice President Venkaiah Naidu Tuesday said Botswana, Zimbabwe and Malawi have backed India's push to democratise the United Nations.

He was speaking to media while returning to India after a six-day visit to the three African countries.

"The countries I visited agree with us on the need to democratise the UN in an effective manner and on the importance of the role of India in the independent nations," he said.

These three countries have been strongly supporting Indian candidates in various UN and international fora, Naidu said.

"During the visit, I took this opportunity to thank them for their support," he said.

India and the other G4 nations -- Brazil, Germany and Japan -- have been voicing concern over the lack of substantive progress in the long-pending Security Council reforms.

At a meeting of the G4 nations held in September on the margins of the 73rd session of the General Assembly, the four nations reaffirmed their commitment to multilateralism.

Asked how do the leaders of the three African countries he visited perceive some of India's neighbours, Naidu said, "They are aware of what is happening and are with us on the need to combat terror."