Britain pledges support to India on permanent UNSC seat

LONDON: Britain has pledged its full support to India in its bid to become a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.

"India will play a lead role in the 21st century and the UK supports India in its bid to become a permanent member of UN Security Council," Kim Howells, MP, Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office said here last night.

Speaking as the Principal Guest at the celebration of the 60th Anniversary of Indian Independence, at the Durban Court of Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Howells observed that the India-UK relations during the last 60 years was characterised by "equality and respect".

Both the countries were now working together, among others, to end terrorism, ways and means of tackling the climate change issue and energy security.

He said Indian population in Britain which was just about 7,000 in 1945 has grown substantially to one million now and was acting as the "human bridge" connecting the two countries for ever.

Lauding the contribution of NRIs here, Howells said "you have contributed to UK politics, business and your presence here makes our culture richer." He also cited contributions made by writers like Salman Rushdie and Kiran Desai whose works have come for recognition here.

Ashok Kumar, MP, Peter Luff, MP, Chair and Deputy chair, Indo-British All Party Parliamentary Group, Kamalesh Sharma, High Commissioner for India and Graham Mackay, Chief Executive, SABMiller plc, the hosts also spoke on the occasion.