India being given membership +

visited +

Netherlands +

Turkey +

NEW DELHI: The US, which supportsat the United Nations Security Council ( UNSC ), is likely to raise the issue of New Delhi's membership at the world body later this month, said the US state department today.Replying to a specific media question on whether the US plans to raise this issue at the UN, a US state department spokeswoman said she "believed" the US might to do so via its UN ambassador Nikki Haley."I believe she is (planning to raise the issue of India in the UNSC ). I would have to double-check with her office. I can certainly do that and get back with you," said State spokeswoman Heather Nauert, referring to Haley.India has been pushing diplomatic efforts to expand and reform the UNSC, with the addition of permanent as well as non-permanent members.In late June, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi with US President Donald Trump , the latter supported India's bid for a permanent seat in a reformed UNSC and in other multilateral institutions like the Nuclear Suppliers Group ( NSG )."President Trump reaffirmed the support of the United States for India's permanent membership on a reformed UN Security Council," said a Indo-US joint statement released at the end of the PM's visit."As global non-proliferation partners, the United States expressed strong support for India's early membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group, the Wassenaar Arrangement, and the Australia Group," the joint statement said.The State spokeswoman on Friday touched upon PM Modi's US visit, terming it "lovely"."I know we had a lovely visit with Mr. Modi. It was certainly wonderful to have him here in the United States. I know the President enjoyed hosting him, as did the Secretary (of State Rex Tillerson) as well," Nauert said.In addition to the US, many others, including Russia, theand, support India's entry into the UNSC."Russia reaffirms its strong support to India's candidature for a permanent seat in a reformed United Nations Security Council," said a vision document issued after the PM's talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in June.Russia also reaffirmed its support for India's membership to the NSG and other non-proliferation regimes.China objects to India's membership bid in the NSG a 48-member elite group which controls the nuclear trade. China says there is no change in its stance on the admission of non-NPT states into the grouping. NPT refers to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, which India is not a signatory to.