India wins elections to key UN panels

India has won an election to a crucial nongovernmental organisation committee in the UN after garnering the highest number of votes besides getting elected by acclamation to other subsidiary bodies in five separate polls.

The UN's Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) held elections to a number of its subsidiary bodies in the United Nations on Monday.

The ECOSOC focusses on advancing the three dimensions of sustainable development - economic, social and environmental.

Following the elections, India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin told PTI that the "results reflect, yet again, the broad support and many friends India has amongst UN members".

India topped the election to the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations.

In one round of secret balloting, the Council elected Bahrain, China, India and Pakistan in the Asia Pacific States category and Brazil, Cuba, Mexico and Nicaragua (Latin American and Caribbean States) to serve a four-year term beginning on January 1, 2019.

India got the highest number of votes at 46, followed by Pakistan (43), Bahrain (40) and China 39. Iran lost the elections, having got only 27 votes. The Council elected by acclamation 11 other nations to serve the same four-year term.