Alphatech
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-11711007US President Barack Obama has backed India's ambition for permanent membership of the UN Security Council.
In an address to India's parliament at the end of a three-day visit, Mr Obama lavishly praised India's development.
His remarks will delight India, which has been lobbying for a seat at the UN's top table for years.
Analysts say it does not mean India will get a permanent seat immediately; the unspecified UN reforms Mr Obama mentioned could take years.
The US leader also said the Washington-Delhi relationship would be one of this century's defining partnerships.
'Brought to justice'
The loudest applause came when Mr Obama told dignitaries: "As two global leaders, the United States and India can partner for global security - especially as India serves on the Security Council over the next two years.
"Indeed the just and sustainable international order that America seeks includes a United Nations that is efficient, effective, credible and legitimate.
Continue reading the main story
“Start Quote
I am mindful that I might not be standing before you today, as president of the United States, had it not been for Gandhi”
End Quote Barack Obama
"And that is why I can say today, in the years ahead, I look forward to a reformed United Nations Security Council that includes India as a permanent member."
There are currently five permanent members of the Security Council: the US, China, France, the UK and Russia.
In another important gesture to India, Mr Obama spoke about the threat of militancy from its regional rival, Pakistan.
He said: "We will continue to insist to Pakistan's leaders that terrorist safe havens within their borders are unacceptable, and that the terrorists behind the Mumbai attacks be brought to justice."
At the weekend, Mr Obama visited a memorial to victims of the 2008 attacks in Mumbai (Bombay).
White House officials revealed he had also briefed Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh about an American who has pleaded guilty in the US to laying the foundations of the attacks.
Mr Singh was told that while the US intelligence community had information about David Headley's activity, it was not specifically connected to Mumbai.
In his speech, Mr Obama also paid tribute to independence leader Mahatma Gandhi, saying: "I am mindful that I might not be standing before you today, as president of the United States, had it not been for Gandhi."
Earlier, Mr Obama paid tribute to India as a world power, saying both countries would work together to promote stability and prosperity.
"As the world's two largest democracies, as large and growing free market economies, as diverse, multi-ethnic societies with strong traditions of pluralism and tolerance, we have not only an opportunity, but also a responsibility to lead."
Mr Singh said Washington and Delhi had decided to "accelerate the deepening of ties to work as equal partners in a strategic relationship".
So everything is on track....just as our leaders planned. All the permanent SC members have now officially supported India's bid. What i feel more impressed about though, is the way foreign leaders now call India a "Global power" instead of the former term "Emerging power". India has finally got the respect and credibility it now deserves. Now we need to work hard so that our nation can soon be called "The Global Superpower".
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