New Delhi doesn't have any scores to settle as it takes its seat for a two-year term at the U.N. Security Council, the country's envoy said.
India joined Colombia, Germany, Portugal and South Africa at the Security Council this week, marking New Delhi's first presence at the table in 20 years.
Indian Ambassador to the United Nations Hardeep Singh Puri told Bloomberg News that his country didn't have any "axes to grind" during its tenure at the Security Council.
"We are acutely conscious that you have to work with others," he said. "We have excellent relations with the U.S., we have excellent relations with Britain and France, and we have excellent relations with the Russians. With the Chinese, we have growing relations."
New Delhi last year complained that U.S. efforts to sanction Iran weren't the best way to settle disputes over the Islamic republic's controversial nuclear program. The envoy, however, said his country wouldn't use the Security Council to settle any scores and would consider each issue before the panel individually.
Brazil, Germany, India and South Africa are all lobbying for permanent seats on the Security Council. Susan Rice, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, was quoted as saying the two-year terms will offer "an interesting opportunity to see how a number of important emerging countries that have an interest in more regular service on the council take up their responsibilities."