India wins seat to Human Rights Council at UN with highest votes

New Delhi: India on Friday won the seat to Human Rights Council at United Nations with the highest votes among all candidates. It has been elected for a period of three years beginning January 1, 2019.

India bagged 188 votes in the Asia-Pacific category.

The 193-member UN General Assembly held elections at the international organisation for new members to the UN Human Rights Council.

The 18 new members were elected by absolute majority through a secret ballot. Countries needed a minimum of 97 votes to get elected to the Council.

India was vying for a seat in the Asia Pacific category. Along with India, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Fiji and Philippines had also staked a claim in the same regional group. 

Given that there were five nations vying for five seats in the Asia Pacific category, India's election to the Council was all but certain. 

(With inputs from agencies)