The ‘Coffee Club’ – also known as ‘Uniting for Consensus’ – is a conglomeration of nations opposed to the claims of India, Brazil, Germany and Japan for the permanent membership of the UNSC. Malaysia has been a member of the group, which is led by Italy, South Korea, Mexico, Argentina and, of course, Pakistan.
But Kuala Lumpur seems to be ready to review its stand on UNSC reforms. According to diplomatic sources in New Delhi, Malaysian Prime Minister Mohamed Najib Tun Abdul Razak recently told his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh that Kuala Lumpur might consider quitting the Coffee Club and support New Delhi’s claim for permanent membership of the UNSC. A joint statement issued on the occasion of the Malaysian PM’s visit to India stated that New Delhi and Kuala Lumpur agreed on cooperating with each other at the United Nations and other international organisations, including cooperation for the early realisation of comprehensive reforms of the global body, including the Security Council.
Signing of treaty
The talks between Singh and Razak were followed by signing of an Extradition Treaty, a Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation in the field of higher education and a Capital Market Collaborative Agreement between the Securities Commission of Malaysia and the Securities and Exchange Board of India.
Though China officially does not oppose India’s UNSC bid, its diplomats had reportedly attended closed-door meetings of the Coffee Club earlier.
Malaysia had chosen to be associated with the group, apparently because of its close ties with China. Sources in New Delhi said that Malaysian government’s willingness to review its stand signaled its desire for closer links with India.